Spade
A boy's name with 48 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Spade is a boy's baby name of modern American origin, evoking the garden tool as well as the suit of playing cards — the spade symbol (♠), which in cartomancy can represent challenges but also transformation and truth. It also connects to Sam Spade, Dashiell Hammett's classic hard-boiled detective.
As a word name, Spade carries the dual energy of honest labor (the digging tool) and sharp intelligence (the detective). For parents drawn to edgy, one-of-a-kind names with attitude, Spade makes an unmistakable statement.
EtymologyShow more
Spade's linguistic roots are not definitively traced to a single tradition. Names that emerged in late-twentieth-century America were often created by blending sounds, respelling existing names, or combining elements from multiple languages — a form of linguistic creativity that makes pinning down a single origin difficult.
What the data does show: Spade has 48 recorded U.S. births as a boy's name, with its open, approachable ending ending on a vowel softens the overall impression.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Spade has 6+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2019.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 42 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 6 | — |
The Story of Spade
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Spade is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Spade are most likely born between 2019 and 2024.
How rare is Spade?
Only about 1 in every 240,000 babies born in 2024 was named Spade — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2019, peaked in the 2020s with 42 births that decade.
Spade by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(6 years, 2019–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 | #6116 |
| 2023 | 6 | #12044 |
| 2022 | 8 | #9712 |
| 2021 | 8 | #9573 |
| 2020 | 5 | #13768 |
| 2019 | 6 | #11941 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spade a boy's or girl's name?
When was Spade most popular?
How popular is the name Spade?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2019–2024