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Cadence

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAY-duhns /ˈkeɪ.dəns/Medium

Meaning: Rhythm, flowMedium

In 30 seconds: Cadence is an English word-name meaning 'rhythm' or 'flow', drawn straight from the language of music.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningRhythm, flow
U.S. rank (2024)#1787 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births91 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,049

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202319922024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

It comes from the English vocabulary word cadence, used for the rhythm, flow, or measured fall of sound. As a given name it turns that musical idea into a person, suggesting steady rhythm and movement. The respellings Kadence and Kaydence give parents a softer, more decorative look.

Though more often seen on girls, Cadence works for boys too, carrying the same crisp, rhythmic feel. The K-spellings Kadence and Kaydence are the main variations parents reach for.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Cadence is 'rhythm, flow', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Cadence — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

KadenceKaydence

Nicknames

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If you like Cadence…

Kadence— A listed K-spelling variation of the same word-name.
Kaydence— A listed variation, the most decorative respelling of Cadence.
Lyric— Another music-themed English word-name with a modern, gender-flexible feel.
Harmony— A musical word-name in the same vein as Cadence.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Cadence mean?

Cadence is usually explained as meaning 'rhythm, flow' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Cadence?

It's commonly said KAY-duhns /ˈkeɪ.dn̩s/.

Is Cadence a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Cadence is used as a boy name.

How popular is Cadence?

In 2024, Cadence ranked #1787 in the U.S. for boys, with 91 births recorded.