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Home › Baby Names Directory › Sage

Sage

♂ Boy

Pronounced SAYJ /seɪdʒ/High

Meaning: From the English word 'sage' meaning a wise person, and also the aromatic herb, both derived from Latin 'salvus' (healthy) and 'sapere' (to be wise); used as a nature and virtue nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Sage is a crisp, fragrant word name meaning both 'wise one' and the aromatic herb. Spiritual and grounded, it works for both boys and girls, though it is given here as a boys' name — minimal, modern, and meaningful.
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Origin HighEnglish, Latin
MeaningFrom the English word 'sage' meaning a wise person, and also the aromatic herb, both derived from Latin 'salvus' (healthy) and 'sapere' (to be wise); used as a nature and virtue name
U.S. rank (2025)#456 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births684 boys (0.04% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 15,752

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219212025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Sage derives from Old French sauge and Latin salvia (the herb), related to salvus (healthy). As a noun describing a wise person, it comes from the same Latin root via Old French sage, meaning wise or prudent. The name thus carries a double meaning: the aromatic herb used in cooking and ritual, and a wise or prophetic person.

Sage has been used as a given name in the United States since at least the mid-20th century, gaining momentum in the 1990s and 2000s as nature names and spiritual names became fashionable. It is used for both boys and girls, with a slight lean toward girls in recent years, though boys named Sage are common.

Did you know? Sage has been used in purification ceremonies across Native American, Celtic, and other traditions for millennia — burned as 'smudging' to clear negative energy. This sacred history gives the name a spiritual depth beyond its pleasant herbal association.
Overall data confidence 92%
Behind the Name — Sage — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

SaigeSaje

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Sage Northcutt (1996-)
    American mixed martial artist
  • ★Sage Stallone (1976-2012)
    American actor and son of Sylvester Stallone
  • ★Sage Steele (1972-)
    American sports broadcaster

If you like Sage…

Reed— shares the crisp, natural one-syllable word name quality
Fox— equally brief and natural with the same modern one-word name energy
Ash— another short nature/tree name with the same minimalist modern appeal
Saige— shares the -ge ending
Ridge— another English name

Explore names like Sage

By themeenglishword-namenaturespiritualwise
By meaningWisdomEarth / NatureHealing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Sage mean?

Sage means a wise or prophetic person, and also refers to the aromatic herb. Both meanings come from Latin roots related to wisdom and health.

How do you pronounce Sage?

Sage is a single syllable pronounced SAYJ /seɪdʒ/.

Is Sage a boy or girl name?

Sage is used for both boys and girls. It has a slight lean toward girls in recent years but remains a genuine choice for either sex.

Is Sage a nature name?

Yes. Sage is both a nature name (the herb) and a virtue name (meaning wise), giving it a layered appeal that draws on both traditions.

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