Sade

♂ Boy

Pronounced shah-DAY /ʃɑˈdeɪ/Medium

Meaning: Sade is short for the Yoruba name Folasade, 'honor confers a crown.' It is far better known as a woman's name — most famously the singer Sade Adu. Used here for a boy, though it leans strongly to girls, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A crown of honor: Sade is Yoruba, 'honor confers a crown' (said 'shah-DAY'). Best known as the singer Sade — more often a girl's name, which we note.

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Origin MediumYoruba

MeaningSade is short for the Yoruba name Folasade, 'honor confers a crown.' It is far better known as a woman's name — most famously the singer Sade Adu. Used here for a boy, though it leans strongly to girls, which we note.

U.S. rank (2025)#9548 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1989

Total births (all-time)≈ 121

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Sade is a Yoruba short form of Folasade, 'honor confers a crown,' carried into global fame by the singer Sade Adu. As a boy's name it is very rare and reads against strong female use, which we note (said 'shah-DAY').

For boys it appears only rarely in the U.S., against far heavier female use. Rare, cross-sex, and richly rooted.

Did you know? Sade is famous worldwide through the singer Sade Adu, whose name is short for the Yoruba Folasade, 'honor confers a crown.' It's used here for a boy, though it's overwhelmingly a woman's name, which we note (said 'shah-DAY').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Sade — Yoruba Folasade, 'honor confers a crown'; cross-sex, girl-leaning

Variations

ShadeFolasadeSadé

Nicknames

SadDay

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Sade…

Folasade— the fuller Yoruba name Sade shortens

Ade— a like Yoruba 'crown' root name

Kayode— a like Yoruba name, warm and rooted

Shade— a fellow Yoruba choice

Ayomide— shares the -de ending

Explore names like Sade

By themeheritage cross-sex yoruba musical

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sade mean?

Sade is a Yoruba short form of Folasade, 'honor confers a crown.' It's best known via the singer Sade.

How do you pronounce Sade?

It's said shah-DAY /ʃɑˈdeɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Sade a boy or girl name?

Here Sade is used as a boy's name, but it is far more often a girl's name — we note the lean.

How popular is Sade?

Sade is rare for boys in the U.S. and more familiar as a girl's name.