Sage Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SAYJ //seɪdʒ//
Origin: Latin; English
Meaning: Latin: wise; English: aromatic herb
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Sage originates from the Latin word "sāgax," meaning "wise" or "profound." This term evolved through various linguistic stages, including its transition into Old French as "sage," which retained the meaning of wisdom. The name entered the English language in the Middle Ages, where it was used both as a noun to denote a wise person and as a given name, reflecting the value placed on wisdom in various cultures.
The connection to the herb sage, known for its culinary and medicinal properties, further enriched the name's connotations of health and wisdom, as the plant has been historically associated with longevity and protection against illness. Historically, the name Sage has been linked to various cultural and literary figures.
In medieval literature, wise characters often bore names that signified their intelligence or insight, and the name Sage fits this archetype. Additionally, the name appears in various religious texts, where wisdom is a revered trait.
The concept of wisdom is notably emphasized in the biblical Book of Proverbs, which extols the virtues of wisdom and understanding, although the name Sage itself does not appear directly in these texts. The association with wisdom has allowed the name to resonate through the ages, maintaining its significance in various cultures.
Culturally, the name Sage embodies a sense of intelligence and insight, qualities that have been celebrated throughout history. In many traditions, wisdom is considered a virtue, and names that signify this trait have often been favored.
The name Sage has also been used in literature and philosophy, reinforcing its association with thoughtful reflection and discernment. While diminutive forms or variations may exist, the name Sage stands strong in its original form, symbolizing the enduring human appreciation for wisdom and knowledge.
Famous people named Sage
In this section, you will find notable people named Sage. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Sage who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Sage who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Sage Francis is a rapper and spoken word artist best known for Personal Journals, A Healthy Distrust, and Copper Gone.
Sage Kotsenburg is an Olympic snowboarder best known for winning the gold medal in slopestyle at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Sage Northcutt is a mixed martial artist best known for competing in the UFC and ONE Championship.
Fictional characters named Sage
The following list of fictional characters named Sage is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Sage is a fictional character from the video game series Final Fantasy. They are a powerful mage who plays a crucial role in the story's magical conflicts.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Sage, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Sage. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Sage was first seen in the United States in 1963.
Sage has ranked as high as #323 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Sage has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Sage is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Sage was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Sage (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 197 | |
| CA | 193 | |
| FL | 107 | |
| NY | 97 | |
| PA | 88 | |
| OH | 73 | |
| GA | 72 | |
| UT | 70 | |
| IL | 56 | |
| NC | 50 | |
| VA | 49 | |
| IN | 48 | |
| WA | 47 | |
| NJ | 47 | |
| TN | 46 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Sage.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,987 |
| 2023 | 1,958 |
| 2022 | 2,013 |
| 2021 | 1,674 |
| 2020 | 1,318 |
| 2019 | 1,172 |
| 2018 | 1,095 |
| 2017 | 1,049 |
| 2016 | 940 |
| 2015 | 889 |
| 2014 | 844 |
| 2013 | 666 |
| 2012 | 624 |
| 2011 | 647 |
| 2010 | 642 |
| 2009 | 793 |
| 2008 | 692 |
| 2007 | 684 |
| 2006 | 767 |
| 2005 | 868 |
| 2004 | 881 |
| 2003 | 748 |
| 2002 | 683 |
| 2001 | 589 |
| 2000 | 557 |
| 1999 | 521 |
| 1998 | 393 |
| 1997 | 460 |
| 1996 | 337 |
| 1995 | 289 |
| 1994 | 254 |
| 1993 | 212 |
| 1992 | 187 |
| 1991 | 167 |
| 1990 | 115 |
| 1989 | 80 |
| 1988 | 67 |
| 1987 | 61 |
| 1986 | 37 |
| 1985 | 44 |
| 1984 | 37 |
| 1983 | 34 |
| 1982 | 51 |
| 1981 | 41 |
| 1980 | 35 |
| 1979 | 46 |
| 1978 | 53 |
| 1977 | 52 |
| 1976 | 38 |
| 1975 | 35 |
| 1974 | 39 |
| 1973 | 21 |
| 1972 | 26 |
| 1971 | 15 |
| 1970 | 16 |
| 1969 | 11 |
| 1968 | 10 |
| 1966 | 10 |
| 1964 | 6 |
| 1963 | 5 |