Declining since 2011, #7,194 for boys today.
Popularity of Cage since 1992
Babies named Cage per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 125 |
| 2000s | 436 |
| 2010s | 360 |
| 2020s | 87 |
Meaning & origin
Cage entered the U.S. baby name charts in 1992 and has seen modest usage since. Its peak year was 2012, when it ranked highest. However, the name has been declining in popularity since 2011, reflecting a broader pattern where many surname-inspired, modern coinages peak quickly and then fade. In 2025, approximately 1 in 155,280 male newborns were named Cage, placing it at rank 7,194. The name has not been widely associated with any particular region; top state concentrations are minimal. Cage remains a rare choice, appealing to parents seeking an edgy, unconventional name. Its meaning is opaque, which can be part of its appeal or a drawback depending on personal taste.
Cage is a modern first name, likely inspired by the English surname Cage. The surname has multiple possible origins: it could be a topographic name for someone who lived near a cage or enclosure, from Middle English 'cage' (Old French 'cage'), or it may derive from a place name such as Cage in Cornwall. As a given name, Cage emerged in the late 20th century, possibly influenced by the actor Nicolas Cage.
Sibling names for Cage
Names that share Cage's style, for a brother or sister.
