Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Wade
BoyOld English, English· “at the river ford”
- Meaning
- at the river ford
- Origin
- Old English, English
- Pronunciation
- WAYD
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #344
- US babies 2025
- 948
- Best rank
- #183 (1966)
- Peak year
- 1970
Meaning and origin of Wade
Wade is an Old English and English name that means “at the river ford”.
Wade comes from an English surname for someone who lived near a ford, a shallow place where a river could be crossed on foot. It is related to the Old English verb wadan, to go or to wade. There was also a Wade in early Germanic legend, a sea giant mentioned in medieval sources, though that tale survives only in fragments. As a first name it has a rugged, down-to-earth sound that suits its outdoorsy meaning. It was a solid choice for much of the twentieth century and now feels like a quiet, sturdy alternative to trendier one-syllable names. It pairs well with longer middle names.
Popularity over time
Wade has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #183 in 1966, and the most babies received it in 1970, when 1,423 were named Wade. In 2025, 948 babies were named Wade, and it ranked #344 nationally. That is 71% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #295 in 1920, #297 in 1950, #285 in 1980, #474 in 2000, #599 in 2010, and #344 in 2025. Of the 76,498 US boys named Wade since records began, 17% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 10,425 babies. Since 2010, 12,356 more have been named Wade.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Scotty, Roderick, Rene, Scot, and Vance.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Wade ranked highest in Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | #93 | 9 |
| Montana | #108 | 12 |
| Idaho | #117 | 22 |
| Utah | #180 | 31 |
| West Virginia | #198 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Wade is usually pronounced WAYD, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with W and ends in “-de”.
Middle names for Wade
A few middle names that flow with Wade: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Wade
Similar names
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Lists that include Wade
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Wade mean?
Wade is an Old English and English name that means “at the river ford”.
What is the origin of the name Wade?
Wade has Old English and English roots. Wade comes from an English surname for someone who lived near a ford, a shallow place where a river could be crossed on foot.
Is Wade a popular name?
Yes. Wade ranked #344 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Wade a boy or girl name?
Wade is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Wade?
Wade is usually pronounced WAYD. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings