"wise, the herb sage"
Origin: Latin Salvia
Language: English
Sage
Pronunciation: [ s-AYJ ]
Does Sage flow with your last name?
Ancient wisdom in a single, grounding syllable
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"wise person, prophet"
Origin: Old French sage
Language: English
"wise, knowing"
Origin: Latin sapere
Language: English
"healing herb (Salvia)"
Origin: Latin salvia
Language: English
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The Story of Sage
Sage carries a double meaning that makes it particularly resonant. As a word meaning 'wise,' it derives from the Latin 'sapere' (to be wise), which gave us 'sapient' and 'savant.' As a plant name, it comes from the Latin 'salvia' (from 'salvare,' to save), referring to the herb's long history in medicine and ritual. The gray-green color, the healing herb, and the concept of wisdom all converge in this single syllable — making Sage a word-name with unusual depth.
Sage as a given name emerged in the New Age movement of the 1970s-80s, associated with spiritual practice and the burning of sage for cleansing ceremonies. It gained mainstream traction in the 2010s as gender-neutral nature names became fashionable, and broke into the US top 200 for girls around 2019.
Sage holds particular significance in many Indigenous American traditions, where burning white sage (smudging) is a sacred purification ritual. This spiritual dimension adds cultural weight to the name beyond its botanical meaning. In Western philosophy, a 'sage' is the ideal of the wise person who has transcended ordinary knowledge.
Historical Record
Sage first appeared in US Social Security records in 1963.
Over 28,585 babies have been named Sage in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Sage is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #145 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Sage has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years — its Latin name 'salvia' means 'to be saved or healed'
- The burning of sage in Native American purification ceremonies predates European contact by thousands of years
- Sage is genuinely gender-neutral in the US, ranking in the top 300 for both boys and girls
Sage in Other Languages
Latin
Salvia
French
Sauge
German
Salbei
Italian
Salvia
Spanish
Salvia
Popularity Over Time
#145
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Sage
S
Sage Northcutt
Athlete
1996
American mixed martial artist and UFC fighter
S
Sage the Gemini
Musician
1992
American rapper and singer known for the hit 'Gas Pedal'
S
Sage Stallone
Actor
1976
American actor and filmmaker, son of Sylvester Stallone
S
Sage (Once Upon a Time) Fictional
Other
Character appearing in the Once Upon a Time television series
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Compare Sage with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #145
- Total SSA Count
- 1,987
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
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, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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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
-
Timeless choice, English 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
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Sage
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Sage is also used as a boy name, ranked #414.
View Sage as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sage
What does the name Sage mean?
"wise, the herb sage" (from Latin Salvia). "wise person, prophet" (from Old French sage). "wise, knowing" (from Latin sapere). "healing herb (Salvia)" (from Latin salvia). Sage carries a double meaning that makes it particularly resonant. As a word meaning 'wise,' it derives from the Latin 'sapere' (to be wise), which gave us 'sapient' and 'savant.' As a plant name, it comes from the Latin 'salvia' (from 'salvare,' to save), referring to the herb's long history in medicine and ritual. The gray-green color, the healing herb, and the concept of wisdom all converge in this single syllable — making Sage a word-name with unusual depth.
What is the origin of the name Sage?
Sage has Latin Salvia, Old French sage, Latin sapere, Latin salvia, English, and American origins. In Latin Salvia, it means "wise, the herb sage". In Old French sage, it means "wise person, prophet". In Latin sapere, it means "wise, knowing". In Latin salvia, it means "healing herb (Salvia)".
Is Sage a boy or girl name?
Sage is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #145. As a boy name, it is ranked #414. Sage is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Sage?
Sage is pronounced s-AYJ.
How popular is the name Sage?
Sage is currently ranked #145 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Sage?
Popular middle name pairings include Sage Olivia, Sage Aurora, Sage Elise, Sage Renee, Sage Willow, Sage Amara, and Sage Celeste.
What are good sibling names for Sage?
Names that pair well with Sage as siblings include River, Briar, Juniper, Oak, Rowan, Fern, and Fox.
How many syllables does Sage have?
Sage has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Sage a common or rare name?
Sage is a popular name, ranked #145 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Sage
Sage is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "wise, the herb sage" in Latin Salvia .
Is Sage a boy or girl name? Sage is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #145 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #414. Sage is more commonly used as a girl name.
Sage is currently ranked #145 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Sage has 1 syllable and is pronounced s-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