Declining since 2012, #4,050 for boys today.
Popularity of Gauge since 1990
Babies named Gauge per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 297 |
| 2000s | 1,842 |
| 2010s | 2,359 |
| 2020s | 323 |
Meaning & origin
Gauge is a modern American coinage, first recorded in 1990, that emerged from the English measurement term. It peaked in popularity in 2013 and has been declining in use since 2012. The name remains uncommon, with a 2025 rank of 4,050 and a frequency of 1 in every 65,695 boys. Its trajectory shows a consistent fall, reflecting a shift away from this surname-style, occupational word name. Though not associated with any particular region, Gauge fits within a broader trend of measurement and tool names (e.g., Rule, Ruler) that gained brief attention in the early 2000s.
Gauge first appeared as a given name in the United States in 1990. It is likely a modern coinage taken directly from the English word 'gauge,' which refers to a standard of measurement or an instrument for measuring. The name may have been influenced by similar-sounding names like Gage, though its exact inspiration remains unclear.
Sibling names for Gauge
Names that share Gauge's style, for a brother or sister.
