Wade is a masculine given name of Anglo-Saxon English origin. It derives from the pre-7th century Old English verb wadan (or wada), meaning "to go," or from a habitational name using the Old English word (ge)wæd, meaning "ford." As a given name, it descends from an English surname, either from a topographical name denoting someone who lived by a ford or from a name referencing the legendary sea-giant Wade.Etymology and OriginsThe earliest recorded use of Wade as a name appears in the Little Domesday Book of 1086 for the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, with forms such as Wada, Wade, and Wado. Its popularity in early medieval England is often linked to the legend of Wade, a mighty sea-giant feared and honored by the coastal tribes of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.Notable BearersWade Allison (born 1941), British physicist and Oxford professorWade Baldwin IV (born 1996), American basketball playerWade Boggs (born 1958), American Hall of Fame baseball playerWade Dominguez (1966–1998), American actor and singerWade Hampton III (1818–1902), Confederate cavalry leader and U.S. politician, Governor of South CarolinaCultural SignificanceWade has remained a steady, if not overly common, given name in English-speaking countries. Its strong, single-syllable sound and association with both water (via the legendary giant) and travel (from wadan) give it a subtle mythic quality that appeals to parents seeking a name with historical depth.Meaning: "to go" or "ford"Origin: Anglo-Saxon EnglishType: Given name derived from surnameUsage: English-speaking regions