Declining since 1998, #7,194 for boys today.
Popularity of Shade since 1880
Babies named Shade per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1997, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Shade's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 28 |
| 1890s | 0 | 18 |
| 1900s | 0 | 6 |
| 1910s | 0 | 72 |
| 1920s | 0 | 66 |
| 1930s | 0 | 48 |
| 1940s | 0 | 28 |
| 1950s | 0 | 13 |
| 1960s | 0 | 31 |
| 1970s | 11 | 45 |
| 1980s | 226 | 84 |
| 1990s | 400 | 224 |
| 2000s | 176 | 208 |
| 2010s | 39 | 191 |
| 2020s | 17 | 94 |
Meaning & origin
Shade is a rare and unusual name with an uncertain etymology. First recorded in the United States in 1880, it reached its peak popularity that same year (rank 7,194). Since 1998, its usage has been falling, and as of 2025, it remains extremely uncommon, with only about 1 in 155,280 newborns receiving the name. The name has not been concentrated in any particular state, and it does not appear among the top names in any region. Its ambiguous origins and lack of a strong historical footprint make it a distinctive choice for parents seeking something understated.
Shade may derive from the Old English 'sceadu', meaning 'shadow' or 'shade', used as a surname for someone who lived in a shady area. Alternatively, it could be an anglicized form of the Irish name Séaghdha, meaning 'hawk-like' or 'admirable'. Its use as a given name is rare and modern, with no strong historical tradition.
“Shade” around the world
Where Shade lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Shade
Names that share Shade's style, for a brother or sister.
