UK name, mostly girls
Sage
A name derived from the herb, meaning wisdom or profoundly wise.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 167 boys.
Sage is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Sage popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #520, with 75 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 75 births.
This profile covers 376 England and Wales registrations across 20 recorded years from 2001 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, NRS Scotland and NISRA Northern Ireland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Sage is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 398 living people in the UK are called Sage. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sage ranked #520 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 75 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2024, when 75 girls were registered as Sage.
- • Sage ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #407 in 2024.
- • Sage is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 398 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sage as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 69.2% of Sage registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#520
2024
Births in 2024
75
Latest year
Peak year
2024
75 births
Estimated living
398
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Sage
In England and Wales birth records, Sage has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 30.8% of registrations are for boys and 69.2% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Sage registered for boys
- Ranked #898 in 2024
- 35 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (35 births)
Sage registered for girls
- Ranked #520 in 2024
- 75 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (75 births)
Meaning
What does Sage mean?
The name Sage originated from the Latin word "salvia," which means wise. It gained popularity in the 17th century and was often used to describe someone with wisdom, discernment, and good judgment.
In ancient Greek mythology, the sage was a revered figure known for their knowledge, wisdom, and ability to foresee the future. One of the most famous sages was the Oracle of Delphi, a priestess who was consulted by kings and commoners alike for her prophetic insights.
The name Sage has been recorded in various historical texts, including the Bible. In the Book of Proverbs, the term "sage" is used to describe a wise and understanding person. The Greek philosopher Socrates was also referred to as a sage, a testament to his wisdom and teachings.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Sage was in the 13th century, when it was used as a surname in England. Over time, it transitioned into a given name, particularly popular among Puritan families who valued wisdom and virtue.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Sage. One of the most famous was Sage Agostino, an Italian philosopher and theologian who lived from 1287 to 1355. His writings on Aristotelian philosophy and Christian theology were highly influential during the Middle Ages.
In the 18th century, Sage Wurttemburg (1725-1789) was a German mathematician and astronomer known for his contributions to the study of celestial mechanics. His work on calculating the orbits of comets and planets was groundbreaking for the time.
Sage Swinton (1809-1897) was a Scottish author and journalist who wrote extensively on social and political issues. Her writings on women's rights and education reform were widely read and respected in Victorian Britain.
Sage Linden (1870-1947) was an American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Linden Trust, a charitable organization that supported various educational and environmental causes. His generosity and commitment to social responsibility earned him widespread admiration.
Sage Perlman (1919-2009) was a renowned American concert violinist and conductor. He was celebrated for his virtuosic performances and served as the principal conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for over three decades.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sage over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Sage in England and Wales, from 2001 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sage, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 75 births in 2024, compared with 75 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sage by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sage was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #798 | 268 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2958 | 78 | 9 |
| 2000s | #3573 | 30 | 6 |
Geography
Where Sage is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Sage. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Sage ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #407 in 2024.
Across the UK
Sage in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#790 in 2024
4 years of NRS records, 16 total registered
Northern Ireland (NISRA)
#407 in 2024
2 years of NISRA records, 8 total registered
Related
Names similar to Sage
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Sage: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sage in the UK right now?
In 2024, Sage was ranked #520 for girls in England and Wales, with 75 births registered.
When was Sage most popular?
The peak year on record was 2024, with 75 babies registered as Sage in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sage?
A name derived from the herb, meaning wisdom or profoundly wise.
How many people are called Sage in the UK?
A total of 376 babies have been registered as Sage across the 20 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 16 more in Scotland and 8 in Northern Ireland.
Where is Sage most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Sage ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #407 in 2024. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.