Kade
KAYD
Kade is a modern American name of debated origin.
It may derive from a Scottish surname connected to the Gaelic cadha, meaning “steep place” or “battle.” Alternatively, some sources link it to the Old English cada, a personal name element of uncertain meaning.
The single-syllable spelling with a K gives it a distinctly contemporary feel.
What the name Kade means
Kade belongs to the broader Caden/Kaden/Cayden family of names that surged in the early 2000s.
While those longer forms peaked and declined, the stripped-down Kade has shown more recent growth, suggesting parents now prefer the concise original over its elaborations.
The name reached its all-time peak at No. 345 in 2024 with 986 births. Its trajectory has been one of slow, steady ascent rather than dramatic spikes: it ranked No. 385 in 2015 and has gained roughly 5 positions per year since then.
Kade shares its single-syllable, hard-consonant structure with popular boys’ names like Jace, Knox, and Rhett. This name type - short, punchy, ending in a voiced consonant - has been one of the dominant patterns in American boys’ naming since 2010.
The K-spelling variant distinguishes Kade from Cade, which has its own separate charting history. Both spellings are used exclusively for boys. In Australia, Kade has seen moderate popularity since the 1990s.
Notable bearers are relatively few given the name’s recent vintage, though its rising trajectory suggests it will produce more visible figures in coming decades.
The name’s simplicity - 4 letters, 1 syllable - makes it immediately pronounceable across English-speaking countries.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Kade
Kade - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity