Cadena is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Ana Lilia Garza Cadena (born 1970), Mexican politician affiliated with the PVEM
Carlos Cadena (1917–2001), Mexican American lawyer, civil rights activist and judge based in San Antonio, Texas
Daniel Cadena (born 1987), football forward
Dez Cadena (born 1961), American punk rock singer and guitarist
Francisco Páez de la Cadena (born 1951), Spanish garden historian
Freddy Cadena (born 1963), Ecuadorian orchestra conductor, a resident of Russia
José Torres Cadena (born 1952), former football (soccer) referee from Colombia
Julio César Cadena (born 1963), former Colombian racing cyclist
Mariano Velazquez de la Cadena (1778–1860), accomplished Mexican American grammarian, scholar, and author
Ozzie Cadena (1924–2008), American record producer with Savoy Records and Prestige Records who recorded gospel and jazz music
Ricardo Cadena (born 1969), retired professional footballer from Mexico
Rodolfo Cadena (1943–1972), Mexican-American mob boss and legendary figure in the Mexican Mafia prison gang
Rodrigo de la Cadena (born 1988), Mexican singer, performer, songwriter, radio host, and musician
Tony Cadena (born 1963), accomplished punk rock singer/songwriter and poet
Carlos Cadena Gaitan (born 1983), journalist and affiliated researcher with the United Nations University
Manuel Cadena Morales (born 1948), Mexican politician from the Institutional Revolutionary Party
