"pledge, security deposit"
Origin: Old French gage
Language: Old French
Gage
Pronunciation: [ g-AYJ ]
Does Gage flow with your last name?
A one-syllable surname name with frontier edge
American
English
French
Modern
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Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"measure, measurement tool"
Origin: English occupational
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Gage from Stephen King's Pet Sematary (1983) - a child who dies and returns as a murderous creature
The Story of Gage
Gage comes from Old French gage meaning pledge or security deposit, related to the concept of giving something as a guarantee (as in wage and engage, which share the root). As an English surname, it was used for someone who collected pledges or measured goods. The name Phineas Gage became historically notable in 1848 when a railway worker survived a remarkable brain injury that altered his personality.
Gage peaked in the United States in the late 1990s and early 2000s, part of the wave of short, punchy one-syllable names popular at that time. It appeared in the top 200 U.S. names from 1995-2010 but has been declining since.
Phineas P. Gage (1823-1860) became one of the most famous cases in neuroscience history after surviving a severe brain injury that dramatically changed his personality. His case transformed understanding of the brain and frontal lobe function.
Historical Record
Gage first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 60,499 babies have been named Gage in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Gage is past its peak , currently ranked #834 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Phineas Gage (1823-1860) survived having a 13-pound iron rod blown through his skull, becoming one of the most studied cases in neuroscience history
- The words wage, engage, and mortgage all share the same Old French root as Gage
Gage in Other Languages
French
Gage
English
Gage
Popularity Over Time
#834
Current Rank
Peaked 2003
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Gage
P
Phineas P. Gage
Other
1823
American railroad worker whose survival of a severe brain injury became a landmark case in neuroscience
G
Gage Creed Fictional
Other
Young child character in Stephen King novel Pet Sematary (1983)
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Compare Gage with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #834
- Total SSA Count
- 297
- Cultural Origins
- American English French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
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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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American 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
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Gage
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
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Also a Girl Name
Gage is also used as a girl name, ranked #55419.
View Gage as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gage
What does the name Gage mean?
"pledge, security deposit" (from Old French gage). "measure, measurement tool" (from English occupational). Gage comes from Old French gage meaning pledge or security deposit, related to the concept of giving something as a guarantee (as in wage and engage, which share the root). As an English surname, it was used for someone who collected pledges or measured goods. The name Phineas Gage became historically notable in 1848 when a railway worker survived a remarkable brain injury that altered his personality.
What is the origin of the name Gage?
Gage has Old French gage, English occupational, American, English, and French origins. In Old French gage, it means "pledge, security deposit". In English occupational, it means "measure, measurement tool".
Is Gage a boy or girl name?
Gage is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #834. As a girl name, it is ranked #55419. Gage is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Gage?
Gage is pronounced g-AYJ.
How popular is the name Gage?
Gage is currently ranked #834 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Gage?
Popular middle name pairings include Gage Michael, Gage William, Gage Thomas, Gage Andrew, Gage Lee, Gage Allen, and Gage Matthew.
What are good sibling names for Gage?
Names that pair well with Gage as siblings include Brock, Colt, Chase, Harley, Jade, Brynn, and Blair.
How many syllables does Gage have?
Gage has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Gage a common or rare name?
Gage is moderately common, ranked #834 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Gage
Gage is a boy name with American, English, and French origins . The name means "pledge, security deposit" in Old French gage .
Is Gage a boy or girl name? Gage is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #834 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #55,419. Gage is more commonly used as a boy name.
Gage is currently ranked #834 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Gage has 1 syllable and is pronounced g-AYJ, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
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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