What does the name Sage means?

Popularity:290

Origin:Latin

Sage is more than a crunchy-feely name that works well for boys and girls. This Latin originating name means “wise” and “healthy,” but it’s also known in English for being an aromatic spice. This baby name references the Seven Sages of Greece, ancient philosophers who promoted different principles, including “Moderation is best in all things” and “Know thyself.” Actress Toni Collette wisely chose the name for her daughter in 2008, as did Jack Huston of “Ben Hur” in 2013. If you want to wish only the best health for your little one or encourage them to be as wise as a philosopher, the name Sage would be a thoughtful choice.

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The name Sage is both a boy's name and a girl's name of Latin origin meaning "wise".

Sage is an evocatively fragrant herbal name that also connotes wisdom, giving it a double advantage. It entered the Top 1000 at about the same time for both genders in the early 1990s, but it has pulled ahead for the girls. Toni Collette named her daughter Sage Florence.

The Greeks and Romans wrote that the smoke from burned sage leaves imparted wisdom, and in the tenth century, Arab physicians said that sage brought about immortality, or at the very least, a long and healthy life.

In Vampire Diaries, Sage is a beautiful vampire possessing super strength and speed.

Girl name origins & meanings

  • French, English, Latin : Wise one; from the sagebrush plant; prophet

Boy name origins & meanings

  • French, English, Latin : Wise one; from the sagebrush plant; prophet

What Does Sage Mean and Stand For? 

The name Sage means "wise one" and comes from Latin, English, and French origin. It was first used in reference to the Seven Sages of Greece: Solon, Thales, Bias, Cleobulus, Periandros, Pittacus, and Chilon. Depending on its usage, it can also refer to the sagebrush plant, once believed to have healing properties. 

Syllables: 1

Famous people who gave their babies this name

What Does the Name Sage Mean? 

Sage is a gender-neutral name of Latin origin, meaning "Wise one." The word was coined used during the Middle Ages to refer to Ancient Greek philosophers who maintained a following for centuries after.

Sage can also reference a spiritual teacher or a plant believed to have healing properties.

Sage is the #223 most popular girls' name and the #442 most popular boys' name in the U.S., according to Social Security Administration data. However, it ranks #5 on FamilyEducation.com. As a girls' name, it has been increasing in popularity each year. 

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Sage was at its peak popularity in October 2021. 

Popularity of the Name Sage in the United States

Sage was searched for most often in the following states: 

  • Wyoming
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Utah
  • New Mexico 

Famous People Named Sage and Sage in Pop Culture 

Famous Sage's include American sportscaster Sage Marie Steele and Canadian actor Sage Brocklebank. 

Sage is a popular name for celebrity children. The name Sage was chosen by Brian Grazer, Allan Wu and Wong Li Lin, Lance Henriksen, and Randy Spelling. 

The name Sage has featured in many TV series, including Gossip Girl, Lincoln Heights, The Young and Reckless, and The Vampire Academy.

Pairs Well with These Middle Names

  • Daphne
  • Dylan
  • Hayden 
  • Joyce
  • Julian

Appears on 

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People Who Like the Name Sage Also Like

  • Hazel
  • Ivy
  • Jade
  • Rowan
  • Willow

Sage Overview

Sage is a beautiful and simple name that any newborn is sure to love.

  • Meaning: The name Sage means “wise one,” “prophet,” or “from the sagebrush plant.”
  • Gender: Sage is a unisex name, but is currently more popular for girls than boys.
  • Origin: Sage was originally an honorary title in Ancient Greece before becoming a common first and last name in 11th Century England.
  • Pronunciation: Sage is most commonly pronounced, “sayj.”
  • Popularity: Sage is a fairly popular name for boys and girls in the United States. It ranked 223rd for girls and 442nd for boys.
  • Nicknames: Age, Gee-Gee, Saga, Sagey, Sagie, Sagy, Sashy, Say, Sayah, Shea.
  • Variations: Saige, Saje, Salie, Sange, Saoi, Sayge.
  • Namesakes: Sage Northcutt, Sage Rosen, Sage Stallone, Sage Steele, Sage the Gemini.

What Does Sage Mean?

The name Sage means “wise one.” It has also been interpreted to mean “prophet,” “wise and knowing,” “healthy,” “herb,” and “from the sagebrush plant.”

Sage’s deeper meanings and etymology are tricky to pinpoint, as the name derives from English, Irish, French, and German words. In English and French, Sage comes from the Latin word “sagus,” meaning “prophetic” (1).

In German, Sage can be traced to the word “sege,” meaning “reed.” The Irish version comes from Savage, a name meaning “untamed” or “man of the woods.”

What is the Origin of the Name Sage?

Though it’s a common first and last name today, Sage was originally an honorary title given to wise and educated people. In Ancient Greece, for example, the “Seven Sages” were philosophers who were highly educated and respected. Often involved in political and mathematical matters, the Seven Sages paved the road for future philosophers like Plato.

Aside from being an honorary title, Sage was a prominent last name before it was a first name. Sage is one of many names that historians believe was first introduced to Britain following the Norman Conquest in 1066.

The most notable Sage family came from England, dating back to 1180. Over the proceeding centuries, the Sage family expanded, reaching Scotland, and eventually Australia and the US. Descendants of this old family included John Sage, a highly revered Episcopal bishop and writer in the 17th Century (2).

The name Sage is a fairly popular name for both boys and girls. In the United States in 2020, Sage ranked the 223rd most used girls’ name and 442nd most used boys’ names (3).

Sage is a more common name for girls than it is for boys, ranking as low as the 831st spot for boys in 2011.

Looking past the last ten years, Sage’s popularity is relatively new. The name ranked around the 7,000th most used name in the 1960s and slowly rose in popularity. It finally broke into the top 1000 in the 1990s.

How Do I Pronounce Sage?

The name Sage is most commonly pronounced, “sayj,” rhyming with “page.”

Is Sage a Boy or Girl Name?

Sage is a unisex name, perfectly acceptable for boys, girls, and non-binary people. Sage is a significantly more popular name for girls than for boys. In 2020, the number of newborn girls named Sage nearly doubled that of boys.

Variations of Sage

The name Sage has seen many variations in its spelling and pronunciation over the past millennium. Below are some of the most common variants:

  • Saige (Latin)
  • Saje (Latin)
  • Salie (Ditch)
  • Sange (French)
  • Saoi (Irish)
  • Sayge (English)

Sage is a delightful and easy name to say, but its nicknames give it a run for its money:

  • Age
  • Gee-Gee
  • Saga
  • Sagey
  • Sagie
  • Sagy
  • Sashy
  • Say
  • Sayah
  • Shea

Similar Names to Sage

As great of a name as it is, Sage may not be quite up your alley. In meaning, origin, and phonetics, here are some strikingly similar names to Sage:

  • Alden
  • Ash
  • Cedar
  • Ethan
  • Fern
  • Gage
  • Hugo
  • Juniper
  • Major
  • Oak
  • Paige
  • Rae
  • River
  • Sonya

Middle Names for Sage

Whether you choose one or multiple, here are some middle names we think go great with Sage:

  • Ann
  • Andrew
  • Conrad
  • Genevieve
  • Gloria
  • Grace
  • Jackson
  • Lee
  • Marie
  • Prudence
  • Quinn
  • Savannah
  • Scarlett
  • Sebastian

Sibling Names for Sage

Sage is a name that works with many others. That being said, below are some that go alongside Sage particularly well:

  • Ash
  • Ava
  • Avery
  • Ethan
  • Gabriel
  • Gail
  • Gavin
  • Gemma
  • Hugo
  • Jada
  • Rainn
  • Scarlett
  • Skylar
  • Sonya

Famous People Named Sage

Various people named Sage have risen to fame and prominence over the years. Here are some of Sage’s most notable namesakes:

  • Sage Northcutt: American martial artist and wrestler.
  • Sage Rosen: American dancer and social media influencer; best known for his appearances on “Dancing with the Stars.”
  • Sage Stallone: American actor, director, and producer; oldest son of Sylvester Stallone.
  • Sage Steele: American television anchor and co-host of ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”
  • Sage the Gemini: American record producer and rapper; best known for his single “Gas Pedal.”

From the page to the screen, the name Sage is quite popular in works of fiction. Below are the most prominent in pop culture:

  • Sage / Tessa: Mutant superhero with mental abilities in Marvel’s “X-Men” comic-book franchise.
  • Sage: A sentient tumbleweed in “The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run;” portrayed by Keanu Reeves.
  • Sage: Character in the third season of CW TV series “The Vampire Diaries.”
  • Sage LaPierre: Comic book store employee and romantic interest in the YTV series “Dark Oracle.”
  • Toad Sage / Jiraiya: A Konohagakure ninja who has deeply studied Toad Jutsu in the anime series “Naruto.”

Sage FAQs

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about the name Sage.

What Is the Personality of the Name Sage?

The name Sage evokes feelings of great wisdom, respect, and experience. Before it was a first name, Sage was an honorary title given to people of great intelligence.

Is Sage a Royal Name?

The name Sage is not particularly royal. Meaning “wise,” Sage was a name traditionally given to well-educated men and women but was seldom used by nobility.

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Is Sage a unique name?

Sage was the 179th most popular girls name and 426th most popular boys name. In 2021 there were 1,656 baby girls and 722 baby boys named Sage. 1 out of every 1,075 baby girls and 1 out of every 2,577 baby boys born in 2021 are named Sage.

What does the name Sage mean in Greek?

A sage (Ancient Greek: σοφός, sophos), in classical philosophy, is someone who has attained wisdom. The term has also been used interchangeably with a 'good person' (Ancient Greek: ἀγαθός, agathos), and a 'virtuous person' (Ancient Greek: σπουδαῖος, spoudaios).

What does sage mean for a boy?

Sage Origin and Meaning The name Sage is both a boy's name and a girl's name of Latin origin meaning "wise and knowing". Fits many criteria sought by modern parents: it's short and strong, with intimations of wisdom as well as fragrant herbal properties.