Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Sage
UnisexLatin, English· “wise; the herb”
- Meaning
- wise; the herb
- Origin
- Latin, English
- Pronunciation
- SAYJ
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #160
- US babies 2025
- 1,853
- Best rank
- #142 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Sage
Sage is a Latin and English name that means “wise; the herb”.
Sage has two connected meanings in English. As a word for a wise person, it comes through French from the Latin sapere, meaning to be wise. As the name of the herb, it comes from the Latin salvia, related to good health. Both senses give the name a calm, grounded feel. Sage is used for both boys and girls and has become a modern nature name favorite. It is short and easy to spell, and it works well as a first or middle name. The variant Saige is also used.
Popularity over time
Sage first appears in US Social Security records in 1963. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 33 different years, starting in 1993. Its best national rank was #142 in 2023, and the most babies received it in 2022, when 2,014 were named Sage. In 2025, 1,853 babies were named Sage, and it ranked #160 nationally. That is 108% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,692 in 1980, #489 in 2000, #471 in 2010, and #160 in 2025. Of the 30,454 US girls named Sage since records began, 36% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 8,571 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Amari, Lennox, Ari, Remy, and Reign.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Sage ranked highest in Hawaii, Wyoming, and Utah.
Gender, sound and spelling
Sage is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 69% of US babies named Sage were girls and 31% were boys.
Sage is usually pronounced SAYJ, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with S and ends in “-ge”.
Middle names for Sage
A few middle names that flow with Sage: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Sage
Similar names
Saige Girl
SAYJ
“wise; from sage” · American (modern coinage)
#480
Olive Girl
AH-lihv
“olive tree” · English
#197
Paige Girl
PAYJ
“young servant, page” · English
#346
Gage Boy
GAYJ
“pledge” · English
#973
Juniper Girl
JOO-nih-pur
“juniper shrub” · English
#100
Jay Boy
JAY
“jay bird; short for J-names” · English
#392
Rosemary Girl
ROHZ-meh-ree
“dew of the sea; an herb” · Latin
#251
Laurel Girl
LOR-uhl
“laurel tree” · English
#734
Oakley Unisex
OHK-lee
“oak clearing” · English
#156
Ace Boy
AYS
“one who excels; the top card” · English
#164
Colt Boy
KOHLT
“young horse” · English
#285
Aspen Girl
AS-puhn
“aspen tree” · English
#266
Lists that include Sage
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sage mean?
Sage is a Latin and English name that means “wise; the herb”.
What is the origin of the name Sage?
Sage has Latin and English roots. Sage has two connected meanings in English.
Is Sage a popular name?
Yes. Sage ranked #160 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Sage a boy or girl name?
Sage is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 69% of US babies named Sage were girls and 31% were boys.
How do you pronounce Sage?
Sage is usually pronounced SAYJ. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings