Declining since 2011, #4,857 for boys today.
Popularity of Kage since 1992
Babies named Kage per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 137 |
| 2000s | 503 |
| 2010s | 716 |
| 2020s | 183 |
Meaning & origin
Kage is a rare modern name that first entered U.S. birth records in 1992. It peaked at an unknown rank in 2012 but has since become less common, with a trajectory of falling use since 2011. In the latest data (2025), the name ranks 4,857th, with roughly 1 in 85,404 boys receiving it. Despite its Japanese-inspired sound and potential meaning 'shadow', the name shows no strong ties to a particular region or cultural tradition, appearing in zero top states. Kage reflects a broader trend of parents embracing short, punchy names with cross-cultural flair, though its rarity means it remains a distinctive choice.
The name Kage has multiple possible origins. In Japanese, kage (影) means 'shadow' or 'image', and may be used as a given name, though it is not traditional. In the United States, Kage likely emerged as a modern coinage, possibly influenced by the sound of names like Cade or by the Japanese word. It has been recorded in U.S. Social Security data since 1992, suggesting it is a relatively recent adoption in English-speaking contexts.
Sibling names for Kage
Names that share Kage's style, for a brother or sister.
