The name Kade is believed to have originated from the Old English word "cad," which means "spirit" or "ghost." This suggests that the name may have been used in early Anglo-Saxon cultures as a way to invoke protection or guidance from spiritual entities. Alternatively, some sources trace the name's roots back to the Welsh word "cadarn," meaning "strong" or "hardy."

In its earliest forms, the name was often spelled as "Cade" or "Cadde." One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a medieval census commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This document mentions a landowner named Cade in the county of Kent, England.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Kade appeared sporadically in various historical records across England and Wales. One notable figure bearing this name was Sir Cade Neville, a 14th-century English knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War against France.

In the 16th century, the name gained some prominence with the uprising of Jack Cade, a rebel leader who led a rebellion against the ruling House of Lancaster in 1450. Although his rebellion was ultimately suppressed, Jack Cade's legacy lived on in popular folklore and ballads of the time.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the name Kade remained relatively uncommon, but a few notable individuals bore it. One example is Cade Browne, an English mathematician and astronomer who lived from 1705 to 1767 and made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics.

In more recent times, the name Kade gained popularity in the United States, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Some notable individuals with this first name include Kade Holliday, an American college basketball player who played for the University of Idaho in the early 2000s, and Kade Gottlieb, an American singer and songwriter known for his work in the pop-rock genre.