How Many People Are Named Wade?
Complete statistics for the name Wade: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Wade is an English name rooted in the Old English word for 'to go' or 'to ford,' evoking someone who crosses rivers and pushes through obstacles. About 56,821 people named Wade are alive in the US today, making it genuinely rare at 1 in 5,808 Americans. What's striking is that despite its rarity, the name is actually trending upward right now.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 6 is traditionally associated with nurturing, responsibility, and a deep sense of care for others. People aligned with 6 are seen as natural protectors who find purpose in supporting their family and community.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 54All 75,664 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1970Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Wade Through the Generations
Wade peaked in 1970 with 1,430 births in a single year, and that era left a real mark on who carries the name today. A full 41% of all living Wades are over 60, and the average age sits at 54, so this is unmistakably a name that belongs to the Baby Boomer generation more than any other. The numbers tell that story clearly: 31,190 Wades are over 60, compared to just 17,464 under 30. The gap between all-time births of 75,664 and the estimated 56,821 living today is notable but not dramatic, suggesting the name spread across enough decades that many bearers are still with us. What makes Wade genuinely interesting is the rising trend. After decades of fading, it's climbing again, which hints that a new generation of parents is rediscovering it, perhaps drawn to its short, strong, no-nonsense feel.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Wade
Wade is a masculine given name of Anglo-Saxon English origin and derives from the pre–7th century Old English verb "wadan" (wada) meaning "to go", or as a habitational name from the Old English word "(ge)wæd" meaning "ford".…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Wade's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Wade
How Many People Have the Name Wade?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 93,102 people in the United States currently share the name Wade. That works out to roughly 1 in every 3,560 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.
Is Wade a Common or Rare Name?
Wade is classified as Uncommon. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Wade Mean?
Wade means "one who crosses the ford" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 6.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Wade in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Wade Most Popular?
The name Wade reached peak popularity in 1970, with 1,430 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Wade?
Approximately 93,102 people named Wade live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 93,102. That works out to roughly 1 in 3,560 Americans.
Is Wade a rare name?
Wade is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 3,560 Americans has this name.
What does the name Wade mean?
Wade means "one who crosses the ford" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Wade more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Wade are male and 0% are female.
When was Wade most popular?
Wade peaked in 1970 with 1,430 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.