"wise person"
Origin: Old French/Latin
Language: English
Sage
Pronunciation: [ s-AYJ ]
Does Sage flow with your last name?
One syllable, two meanings: wise and earthy
English
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Earthy
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Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"the herb sage"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Predominantly used as a girl's name in the US — some parents may hesitate for a boy
The Story of Sage
Sage derives from the Latin 'salvus' (safe, healthy) via Old French 'sauge,' referring to the herb. The word 'sage' also came to mean a wise person in English, from Old French 'sage' (wise), itself from Latin 'sapere' (to be wise). These two meanings — the aromatic herb and the wisdom archetype — merge beautifully in one compact name.
Sage rose dramatically in the 2010s as parents embraced nature and wellness aesthetics. The sage plant became a cultural touchstone in mindfulness and home-cleansing rituals, and the name rode that wave. It has been used for both boys and girls, but trends slightly more female in the United States.
Sage holds sacred significance in many Indigenous American traditions, where it is burned in smudging ceremonies for purification and spiritual cleansing. In ancient Greek philosophy, sages were the wisest of wise men. The name embodies both natural world connection and intellectual aspiration.
Historical Record
Sage first appeared in US Social Security records in 1968.
Over 15,063 babies have been named Sage in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Sage is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #414 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Sage has been used ceremonially by Indigenous peoples of North America for thousands of years
- The Latin root 'salvus' (healthy/safe) also gives us the word 'salvia,' the plant genus
- Sage is one of the few single-syllable nature names that works equally as a first and middle name
Sage in Other Languages
French
Sage
Italian
Saggio
Spanish
Sabio
Japanese
セージ
Popularity Over Time
#414
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Sage
S
Sage Northcutt
Athlete
1995
American MMA fighter and UFC fighter known as 'Super Sage'
S
Sage Steele
Entertainer
1972
American television sports anchor and journalist
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Compare Sage with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #414
- Total SSA Count
- 779
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Sage
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Sage is also used as a girl name, ranked #145.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sage
What does the name Sage mean?
"wise person" (from Old French/Latin). "the herb sage" (from Latin). Sage derives from the Latin 'salvus' (safe, healthy) via Old French 'sauge,' referring to the herb. The word 'sage' also came to mean a wise person in English, from Old French 'sage' (wise), itself from Latin 'sapere' (to be wise). These two meanings — the aromatic herb and the wisdom archetype — merge beautifully in one compact name.
What is the origin of the name Sage?
Sage has Old French/Latin, Latin, English, and American origins. In Old French/Latin, it means "wise person". In Latin, it means "the herb sage".
Is Sage a boy or girl name?
Sage is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #414. As a girl name, it is ranked #145. Sage is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Sage?
Sage is pronounced s-AYJ.
How popular is the name Sage?
Sage is currently ranked #414 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Sage?
Popular middle name pairings include Sage River, Sage Elliott, Sage Alexander, Sage Theodore, Sage William, and Sage James.
What are good sibling names for Sage?
Names that pair well with Sage as siblings include Reed, Wren, Juniper, Piper, River, and Briar.
How many syllables does Sage have?
Sage has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Sage a common or rare name?
Sage is a popular name, ranked #414 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Sage?
Are there other spellings for Sage?
Related spellings include Sagan.
About the Name Sage
Sage is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "wise person" in Old French/Latin .
Is Sage a boy or girl name? Sage is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #414 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #145. Sage is more commonly used as a girl name.
Sage is currently ranked #414 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Sage has 1 syllable and is pronounced s-AYJ, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Sage include Sagan . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis