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Noun. 1. cation-a positively charged ion. hydrogen ion-a positively charged atom of hydrogen; that is to say, a normal hydrogen atomic nucleus. ion-a particle that is electrically charged (positive or negative); an atom or molecule or group that has lost or gained one or more electrons.
Here is the easy answer: Cations are formed by losing electrons. When comparing the relative numbers of electrons to protons, there will be more protons (because electrons were lost). Protons are positively charged... since there are more of them compared to electrons, the cation will have a positive charge. Cations Are Positive. Depends if you are asking the question on the origin of the name cation or what gives them a positive charge. I can not help with the naming origin but the positive charge is from the ability of a particular atom to lose and electron.