Find out how popular the first name Cadence has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cadence by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Cadence is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 92% of people named Cadence being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 274 female babies and 115 male babies born with the name Cadence.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 115 baby boys were named Cadence in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Cadence

The name Cadence has its origins in the Latin language, derived from the word "cadentia," which means "rhythmic flow" or "metric beat." This name first emerged during the Middle Ages and was primarily used as a reference to the rhythmic patterns and inflections in poetry and music.

In the 14th century, the term "cadence" was adopted by musicians and poets to describe the melodic or rhythmic patterns that marked the end of a musical phrase or a poetic line. It became associated with the idea of harmony, balance, and artistic expression.

The earliest recorded use of Cadence as a given name can be traced back to the 16th century. One of the earliest known individuals with this name was Cadence Witherspoon, an English poet and musician born in 1548. Her work was renowned for its lyrical cadences and intricate rhyme schemes.

Throughout history, the name Cadence has been bestowed upon various individuals, often with connections to the arts or music. One notable figure was Cadence Everett (1791-1865), an American composer and songwriter known for her patriotic ballads during the Civil War era.

In the 20th century, Cadence Keillor (1920-2005) was a celebrated American novelist and playwright, whose works were characterized by their rhythmic prose and poetic cadences. Her most famous novel, "The Cadence of Dreams," explored the themes of art, love, and the human experience through lyrical language.

Another notable figure was Cadence Balanchine (1904-1983), a renowned Russian-American choreographer and dancer. She is credited with revolutionizing the art of ballet by introducing new rhythmic patterns and cadences into her choreography, which became her signature style.

Cadence Joplin (1868-1917), the acclaimed American composer and pianist, is also worthy of mention. His ragtime compositions, such as "The Entertainer" and "Maple Leaf Rag," were celebrated for their syncopated rhythms and distinctive cadences, which helped shape the development of early jazz music.

While the name Cadence may have originated from the world of music and poetry, it has since transcended these boundaries and has been embraced by individuals from various walks of life, each adding their own unique rhythms and cadences to the tapestry of human experience.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Cadence was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cadence, please contact us.

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