Wade
Wade: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /weɪd/
Meaning and origin of Wade
Root meaning: “a ford”
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From Old English wæd (“a ford”).
How popular is Wade?
Since 1880, 168 girls and 76,498 boys in the U.S. have been named Wade (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #4383 in 1920. Its highest rank for boys was #183 in 1966. In 2025 it ranked #344 for boys, with 948 babies given the name.
More English boy names
Sibling name ideas for Wade
Sister and brother names that share Wade's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Wade FAQ
What does the name Wade mean?
Wade traces back to a root meaning "a ford". A male given name transferred from the surname. From Old English wæd (“a ford”).
What is the origin of the name Wade?
Wade is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Wade?
Since 1880, 168 girls and 76,498 boys in the U.S. have been named Wade (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #4383 in 1920. Its highest rank for boys was #183 in 1966. In 2025 it ranked #344 for boys, with 948 babies given the name.
Is Wade a boy or girl name?
Wade is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 168 girls and 76,498 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.