How to say it
KAY · den
ˈkeɪ.dən
Masculine
Kayden
Battle, or modern coinage
What it means
Modern American respelling of Caden/Kaiden, ultimately from the Irish Mac Cadáin ('son of Cadán,' from cath 'battle'). The K-and-Y spelling is part of the early-2000s -ayden cluster (Jayden, Brayden, Hayden, Aiden).
Kayden is a modern American respelling of Caden, ultimately from the anglicized Irish surname Mac Cadáin ('son of Cadán,' from the Old Irish cath, 'battle'). The K-and-Y spelling places Kayden in the early-2000s -ayden cluster (Jayden, Brayden, Hayden, Aiden), driven by the punchy -ay rhyme. As a US first name Kayden entered the top 200 in 2010 and is steady in the 100-200 range. The Kayden/Kaiden/Caden/Cayden/Kaden trio (or quartet, or quintet) collectively would top the boys' charts. Common short: Kay or Kade.
How to spell Kayden
The standard spelling is Kayden. Common variants include Caden, Cayden, Kaiden, Kaden, but Kayden is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #90 in 2014, currently #135 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Kayden (K-AY), Kaiden (K-AI), Caden (C-A), Cayden (C-AY), and Kaden (K-A) are all the same name; spelling diversity is itself a feature of the modern -aden cluster.
Spelling variants
- Caden
- Cayden
- Kaiden
- Kaden
Names with the same feeling
See Kayden from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Kayden mean?
- Modern American respelling of Caden/Kaiden, ultimately from the Irish Mac Cadáin ('son of Cadán,' from cath 'battle'). The K-and-Y spelling is part of the early-2000s -ayden cluster (Jayden, Brayden, Hayden, Aiden).
- What does Kayden mean in English?
- In English, Kayden means "Battle, or modern coinage." Kayden is a modern American respelling of Caden, ultimately from the anglicized Irish surname Mac Cadáin ('son of Cadán,' from the Old Irish cath, 'battle'). The K-and-Y spelling places Kayden in the early-2000s -ayden cluster (Jayden, Brayden, Hayden, Aiden), driven by the punchy -ay rhyme. As a US first name Kayden entered the top 200 in 2010 and is steady in the 100-200 range. The Kayden/Kaiden/Caden/Cayden/Kaden trio (or quartet, or quintet) collectively would top the boys' charts. Common short: Kay or Kade.
- How do you pronounce Kayden?
- Kayden is pronounced ˈkeɪ.dən. Say it as KAY-den, with the stress on the "kay" syllable.
- How do you spell Kayden?
- The standard spelling is Kayden. Common spelling variants include Caden, Cayden, Kaiden, Kaden.
- Is Kayden a boy or girl name?
- Kayden is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Kayden?
- Kayden ranked #135 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.