Sage Unisex

Popularity: #154 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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.

SiennaSkyeScarlettSadieSophieSabrina

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.

SableSeleneSierraSoleilSarina

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Sage was first seen in the United States in 1921.

Sage has ranked as high as #233 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 2,537 684 1,853
2024 2,775 781 1,994
2023 2,719 758 1,961
2022 2,842 828 2,014
2021 2,406 731 1,675
2020 2,001 682 1,319
2019 1,846 673 1,173
2018 1,788 693 1,095
2017 1,681 632 1,049
2016 1,469 528 941
2015 1,293 403 890
2014 1,252 408 844
2013 988 322 666
2012 950 326 624
2011 908 261 647
2010 906 264 642
2009 1,092 299 793
2008 992 300 692
2007 1,006 322 684
2006 1,097 330 767
2005 1,206 338 868
2004 1,191 310 881
2003 1,099 351 748
2002 1,063 380 683
2001 972 383 589
2000 949 392 557
1999 913 392 521
1998 753 360 393
1997 876 416 460
1996 648 311 337
1995 543 254 289
1994 456 202 254
1993 388 176 212
1992 380 193 187
1991 424 257 167
1990 219 104 115
1989 131 51 80
1988 122 55 67
1987 91 30 61
1986 77 40 37
1985 90 46 44
1984 63 26 37
1983 62 28 34
1982 90 39 51
1981 74 33 41
1980 70 35 35
1979 77 31 46
1978 110 57 53
1977 86 34 52
1976 82 44 38
1975 67 32 35
1974 63 24 39
1973 48 27 21
1972 50 24 26
1971 37 22 15
1970 39 23 16
1969 18 7 11
1968 15 5 10
1966 10 0 10
1964 6 0 6
1963 5 0 5
1921 5 5 0

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 305
11%
TX 292
11%
FL 154
6%
NY 130
5%
PA 116
4%
GA 97
4%
OH 87
3%
UT 79
3%
MI 75
3%
NC 74
3%
WA 71
3%
IL 69
3%
VA 67
2%
AZ 63
2%
NJ 62
2%
TN 58
2%
IN 56
2%
MN 54
2%
OK 53
2%
MO 53
2%
MD 49
2%
CO 48
2%
WI 44
2%
OR 42
2%
LA 42
2%
IA 42
2%
MA 40
1%
AL 38
1%
NV 37
1%
SC 34
1%
CT 32
1%
KS 28
1%
KY 27
1%
ID 26
1%
AR 23
1%
MT 22
1%
HI 20
1%
WV 18
1%
SD 15
1%
NH 13
0%
NM 13
0%
MS 12
0%
ME 11
0%
NE 10
0%
AK 10
0%
ND 9
0%
DE 7
0%
RI 6
0%