Declining since 2002, #973 for boys today.
Popularity of Gage since 1914
Babies named Gage per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 12 |
| 1920s | 23 |
| 1930s | 10 |
| 1940s | 11 |
| 1950s | 29 |
| 1960s | 29 |
| 1970s | 177 |
| 1980s | 498 |
| 1990s | 13,205 |
| 2000s | 27,420 |
| 2010s | 16,938 |
| 2020s | 2,457 |
Meaning & origin
Gage is a modern English given name that originated as a surname meaning 'pledge' or 'challenge.' It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1914, but its popularity soared in the late 20th century, peaking at rank 63 in 2003. Since then, its use has fallen steadily; in 2023 it ranked 973rd, with a frequency of 1 in 7,268 births. The name has been most common in the Midwest, with top states including Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio. Gage exemplifies the trend of adopting surnames as first names, a pattern popular in the United States since the mid-1900s.
Gage derives from the Old French word 'gage,' meaning a pledge or a token of challenge (as in 'giving gage' in a duel). The name entered English as an occupational surname for a moneyer or one who gave pledges. As a given name, it emerged in the 20th century, initially in the United States, and gained popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Where Gage is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gay
Sibling names for Gage
Names that share Gage's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Gage
Names whose popularity has moved with Gage's over the last 50 years.
