Jad is a name of Semitic origin, derived from the Hebrew word 'yad', meaning 'hand'. It has been used historically as a boy's name, but in recent years has gained popularity as a unisex name. The name Jad is often associated with the Arabic name Jade, which shares a similar pronunciation and meaning, referring to precious stones. However, they are distinct names with different origins and implications. In the English-speaking world, Jad may be considered somewhat unusual, but it has been appearing more frequently in recent years, particularly in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.
"Jad was quite rare as a baby name until the late 1980s when it began to gain traction, reaching its peak popularity around 2020 with over 200 births annually."