The name Jade has traditionally been used as a girl’s name, but in recent years it has also become popular for boys. So is Jade strictly a female name or can it be used for boys too? There are a few key factors to consider when determining if Jade works well as a masculine name.
A Brief History of the Name Jade
The name Jade originated as a unisex name and was derived from the ornamental stone jade which is commonly green in color. The stone itself was highly valued in ancient Chinese culture and carried connotations of beauty, nobility, and immortality.
Jade began seeing use as both a boy’s and girl’s name in the 1960s in English-speaking countries. At first, it was predominately given to girls. However, it did see some usage for boys as well. Over time, it became viewed mostly as a feminine name.
Current Popularity and Usage
Jade has been a top 500 girl’s name in the United States for decades. It peaked in popularity in the 1970s but remains commonly used today.
For boys, Jade has not cracked the top 1000 most popular names. However, it is still given to boys occasionally. Approximately 1 in every 10,000 baby boys in the U.S. is named Jade.
The table below shows the popularity of Jade for girls versus boys from 2010 to 2020:
| Year | Girl Ranking | Boy Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 370 | N/A |
| 2011 | 392 | N/A |
| 2012 | 337 | N/A |
| 2013 | 306 | N/A |
| 2014 | 272 | N/A |
| 2015 | 224 | N/A |
| 2016 | 198 | N/A |
| 2017 | 185 | N/A |
| 2018 | 167 | N/A |
| 2019 | 157 | N/A |
| 2020 | 148 | N/A |
As the table shows, Jade has consistently ranked in the top few hundred girl names over the past decade while remaining outside the top 1000 boy names. However, the name is used for boys occasionally even if the usage is rare compared to girls.
Characteristics of the Name Jade
The name Jade has several characteristics that make it appealing for usage for either girls or boys:
Unisex sound
The sound of Jade is not strongly feminine or masculine. It ends with the popular letter ‘e’ found in many female names but also has the strong ‘j’ start found in many male names like James, Jason, Jack etc. The one syllable sound is simple but substantial.
Association with a valuable stone
Jade’s connection to the attractive green gem gives it an upscale, premium feel that works well for either gender.
Freshness factor
As a relatively uncommon name for boys, Jade has a cool factor and originality that many parents seek when choosing a name. It stands out from overused boy names like Michael, Matthew, Jacob etc.
Uniqueness spelling
The spelling of Jade is straightforward and seldom confused with other names. It is recognizable and easy to pronounce.
Vintage vibe
While never super common, Jade has been used as a name in the U.S. since the 1960s so it has a retro, vintage feel while not seeming outdated. Vintage names with modern flair are attractive for today’s parents.
Celebrity Influence
The use of Jade as a boy’s name has been influenced by some high-profile celebrities:
Jaden Smith
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith chose the name Jaden for their son born in 1998. Jaden Smith has followed his famous parents into acting and music. His success and popularity have made Jaden (a variant spelling of Jade) more accepted as a boy’s name.
Jade Thirlwall
Jade Thirlwall is one of the members of the popular British girl group Little Mix. However, Jade is her real first name even though she is female. Her public profile has given visibility to Jade being used across genders.
Gender Neutral Name Trend
Using names that work well for either girls or boys has become a major naming trend over the past decade. Parents today are more open to creatively using any name on either gender. Jade fits right in with current preferences for gender fluid names.
Other examples
Along with Jade, other examples of names crossing over from female to male use include:
- Hayden
- Rowan
- Remy
- Emerson
- Reese
Opinions on Using Jade for a Boy
Despite the rising gender neutral naming trend, using a traditionally female name like Jade for a boy still elicits strong reactions from some people. Here are two common perspectives:
Against: “Jade is a girl’s name”
Some people are strongly tied to the idea of Jade strictly being a female name. For them, giving it to a boy goes against proper gender conventions. These individuals are likely to see Jade and assume the bearer is female. They may find using Jade for a boy off-putting or confusing.
For: “Names should not be limited by gender”
Others argue that naming conventions should not be so rigid and that any name should be usable for either girls or boys. This perspective embraces the gender neutral name movement and using a name like Jade for a son. They believe personalities, not names, define a person’s identity and gender.
Considerations When Using Jade for a Boy
For parents debating using the name Jade for their baby boy, here are some additional considerations:
Confusion with female spelling
The standard spelling for girls is J-A-D-E. Using this exact spelling for a boy may lead to more assumption that your son is female. Spelling it differently like “Jaden” may alleviate this issue.
Teasing risks
Unfortunately, boys with feminine-sounding names may deal with more teasing from peers. Ensure your son has the confidence and courage to handle potential bullying or choose a middle name that offers a more masculine option.
Resume perceptions
Gender assumptions based on the name Jade could impact your son later in life when applying for jobs. However, many modern companies have grown more open-minded about judging candidates solely on names.
Conclusion
While traditionally more common for girls, Jade is being used more often today as a name for boys as well. The shift correlates with the rise in gender neutral naming and breaking down conventions about names needing to strictly fit traditional gender lines. For the right child, Jade can make for a fresh, appealing boy’s name with a vintage vibe. There are factors to weigh like potential confusion with female spelling and possible teasing. But ultimately, it offers a unique name choice for modern parents seeking a special name for their son.