Bad news for people named Jade, as the name you may have cherished for its beautiful reference to the gemstone actually harbours a darker secondary meaning.
TikToker @historyoncrack extended an apology to all the Jades who’ve adored their name for years, revealing that in the Middle Ages it had a meaning that developed through time to reference something totally different.
She explained: “Did you know that ‘Jade’ used to be slang for ‘lady of the night’? In the Middle Ages, a ‘Jade’ specifically referred to a worn-out old horse. This may have its origin in an Icelandic word, which means mare, which then developed into a term being used against women.”
By the Victorian era, the term had evolved to mean ‘Lady of the night’ – a euphemism for a prostitute, she added. This interpretation starkly contrasts with the definition on baby name website The Bump, which states: “Jade is a British gender-neutral baby name meaning ‘precious stone’. If you’re a fan of the finer, more sparkly things in life, then you may love the soft green gemstone of jade.”
In the video’s comments section, several people named Jade expressed feeling slighted. One commented: “I prefer to think of myself as a precious jewel.” Another shared: “Feeling a bit attacked.”
A third remarked: “I am Jade… I am a worn-out old horse… I can confirm this is correct,” while another quipped: “My name is Jade Roxanne. With this and Sting’s song Roxanne, it looks like my occupation is written in the stars.”
However, several users on the Reddit forum ‘Name Nerds’ have commended the name Jade, describing it as the “sort of name a cool, pretty girl would have”. One particular admirer of the name commented: “I love Jade SO much. I think it’s such a beautiful and showstopping name. Makes me think of the most beautiful shades of green, a girl with dark hair with an air of coolness and put-togetherness.”