Cadem
A masculine name derived from the Latin word "cadere," meaning "to fall."
Name Census estimates that about 6 living Americans carry the first name Cadem. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Cadem today is around 17 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Cadem births was 2009 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Cadem. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Cadem. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
6
~ 1 in 57,125,723 Americans
Peak year
2009
6 babies that year
Average age
17
years old
2009 SSA rank
#11,209
Tracked since 2009
Popularity
Cadem: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Cadem by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Cadem during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Cadem
The name Cadem is believed to have its origins in the ancient Celtic languages, particularly in the regions of modern-day Ireland and Scotland. Scholars trace its roots to the Gaelic word "cadamh," which means "battle" or "warrior." This suggests that the name Cadem may have initially been given to individuals who were renowned for their bravery and prowess in combat.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Cadem can be found in medieval Irish manuscripts and annals dating back to the 8th century AD. These documents often mention individuals bearing this name, although their specific identities and roles remain obscure. It is possible that some of these early bearers of the name were warriors or chieftains in the turbulent times of the early medieval period.
One of the most notable historical figures with the name Cadem was a 12th-century Irish nobleman and military leader known as Cadem O'Donnell (c. 1150 - 1219). He played a pivotal role in the wars between the Irish clans and the Norman invaders, leading his forces to several victories against the English armies. Cadem O'Donnell's exploits were celebrated in contemporary Irish poetry and folklore, further solidifying the connection between his name and martial valor.
Another prominent individual with the name Cadem was Cadem MacGregor (c. 1570 - 1630), a Scottish clan chief and warrior who was involved in the ongoing conflicts between the Highland clans and the Scottish lowlands. MacGregor's reputation as a fearsome fighter and leader of men earned him both respect and notoriety, and his name became synonymous with the Highland spirit of defiance and resistance.
In the 17th century, a Gaelic poet and bard named Cadem O'Hussey (c. 1590 - 1663) gained acclaim for his beautifully crafted verse and his preservation of the oral traditions of his people. His works, which celebrated the heroic deeds of his ancestors and the rich cultural heritage of the Irish, helped to keep the name Cadem alive and revered in literary circles.
Another noteworthy bearer of the name was Cadem O'Rourke (1725 - 1798), an Irish soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War. O'Rourke served with distinction in the Continental Army and was known for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield. His legacy as a patriot and warrior contributed to the enduring association of the name Cadem with courage and military prowess.
While the name Cadem may have faded somewhat in modern times, its deep roots in the Celtic cultures of Ireland and Scotland and its connections to the ideals of bravery, strength, and martial skill have ensured its place in the annals of history. Whether borne by warriors, poets, or ordinary individuals, the name Cadem continues to evoke a sense of pride and tradition that harks back to the rich tapestry of the ancient Celtic world.
People
Cadem + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Cadem as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Cadem: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Cadem?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 6 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Cadem going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 57,125,723 US residents.
Is Cadem a common name?
We classify Cadem as "Very Rare". It ranks above 22.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 6 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Cadem most popular?
The single biggest year for Cadem was 2009, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Cadem is about 17 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Cadem in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Cadem a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Cadem in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Cadem still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Cadem in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Cadem can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Cadem?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.