Sage Name Meaning: Nicknames, Origin & Variations

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⁾.

How Popular is the Name Sage?

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)

Nicknames for Sage

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.”

Sage in Popular Culture

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.