sage

Sage is a Latin name meaning “wise” or “healthy.” It’s also a nature name tied to the sage plant, long associated with cleansing and healing. Today it’s used for all genders and feels modern-but-timeless—think journalist Sage Steele or snowboarder Sage Kotsenburg.

What Does the Name Sage Mean?

Sage name meaning: “wise” or “healthy.” In everyday English, a sage is also a profoundly wise person, which is why the name feels like a blessing you can speak over a child.

After everything we went through—six years of trying, four rounds of IVF, more appointments than I can count—I never take a single moment for granted… including the weight of a name. When you’ve waited this long to meet your baby, you don’t pick a name because it’s “cute.” You pick it because it holds something.

And “Sage” holds so much: wisdom without arrogance, health without naivety, softness with a backbone. It’s one of those names that feels calm in your mouth. One syllable. Clear. Grounded. Like a deep breath.

When people search sage baby name, they’re often asking the real question underneath: Will this name give my child something steady to stand on? I can’t promise any name can do that alone—but Sage comes close, because it carries an intention: May you be wise. May you be well.

Introduction

Sage is a name that feels like hope spoken out loud. It’s short, nature-rooted, and meaning-packed—exactly the kind of name parents crave when they want something simple but not empty.

I’ll be honest: I used to think naming conversations were “fun.” Like picking paint colors. Then infertility taught me that nothing is casual when you’ve fought for the right to imagine a nursery.

There’s a particular kind of tenderness that comes after loss and waiting. For me, it showed up in the weirdest places—like crying at diaper commercials (yes, still), or getting misty-eyed in the baby-name aisle of a bookstore. After everything we went through, I never take a single moment for granted, and that includes the moment you look at a name and think, This might be the one.

“Sage” hits that place in the heart where practicality and poetry overlap. It’s the name you choose when you want your child to move through the world with a quiet kind of strength. It’s also wildly relevant right now: about 2,400 monthly searches and a competition score around 37/100, which tells me a lot of parents are circling this name with serious intent.

So let’s talk about it the way I wish someone had talked to me—honestly, thoroughly, and with a little reverence for how sacred naming can feel.

Where Does the Name Sage Come From?

Sage comes from Latin roots connected to wisdom and health, and it also exists as an English word meaning a wise person and the aromatic herb. The name’s appeal is tied to both language history and nature symbolism.

The linguistic backbone here matters because it’s not just “a trendy plant name.” The English word sage traces back through Old French (sage, meaning “wise”) to Latin _sapius_ and _sapere_, connected to being wise or discerning (and yes, that same Latin root is related to words like “sapient,” as in Homo sapiens—“wise human”). That’s one reason the sage name meaning is so consistently given as “wise.”

The “healthy” meaning is also commonly associated with sage because the sage plant (culinary sage, Salvia officinalis) has a long history in traditional herbal practices. Even the genus name Salvia comes from Latin _salvare_ (“to save” or “to heal”), which is why you’ll often see “healthy” included in meaning lists. While “Sage” and “Salvia” aren’t the same word, culturally they’ve braided together: sage the herb has been linked with well-being, preservation, and restoration for centuries.

And then there’s the cultural travel piece: names that are also vocabulary words in English (like Grace, Hope, River, Ivy) tend to rise when parents want meaning without complexity. Sage fits that category perfectly—one syllable, easy spelling, strong concept.

A personal note: when I first heard “Sage” as a baby name, I didn’t think of a spice rack. I thought of that feeling you get when someone older and steady puts a hand on your shoulder and says, “You’re going to get through this.” During IVF, I craved that kind of voice. So if you’re asking what does Sage mean—to me it means the kind of wisdom that’s earned, not performed.

Who Are Famous Historical Figures Named Sage?

Well-known public figures named Sage include journalist Sage Steele, rapper/poet Sage Francis, and race car driver Sage Karam. While “Sage” is more modern as a given name, these figures have made it recognizable in journalism, music, and sports.

Because Sage is relatively new in widespread use as a first name (especially compared to names like Elizabeth or John), you won’t find medieval queens named Sage in the way you might with “Catherine.” But “historical figure” in modern naming content often means “notable, documented people whose work has cultural impact”—and Sage has several.

Here are three key figures people frequently mean when they ask this:

• •Sage Steele – An American television anchor and sportscaster, long associated with ESPN. She’s been one of the more visible Sages in mainstream media, which matters: visibility turns a name from “interesting” into “usable.”
• •Sage Francis – An American underground hip hop artist and spoken-word poet. If you’ve ever heard someone describe Sage as “artsy” or “poetic,” his work is part of that cultural association.
• •Sage Karam – An American race car driver who competed in IndyCar and the Indianapolis 500. He’s a big reason the name reads as energetic and modern, not only soft and spiritual.

And I want to add context that parents actually care about: these Sages show the range of the name. It’s not boxed into one vibe. It can be media-polished (Steele), lyrical and countercultural (Francis), or high-adrenaline competitive (Karam).

When I was deep in infertility forums at 2 a.m. (if you know, you know), I used to make these tiny “future lists” to keep myself hopeful: future bedtime stories, future first-day-of-school pictures, future names. A name like Sage would have gone on my list because it’s unmistakably current, but it doesn’t feel like it will expire.

Which Celebrities Are Named Sage?

Celebrities with the name Sage include UFC fighter Sage Northcutt, former NFL quarterback Sage Rosenfels, and actor Sage Brocklebank; celebrity parents have also chosen Sage for their children, like Sage Lavinia (Shannan Click & Jack Huston), Sage Ann (Kyra Phillips & John Roberts), and Sage Florence (Toni Collette & Dave Galafassi). This celebrity usage helps explain the name’s modern popularity.

Let’s start with celebrity adults:

• •Sage Northcutt – A well-known American mixed martial artist associated with UFC early in his career. He gave “Sage” a bright, athletic, all-American visibility.
• •Sage Rosenfels – Former NFL quarterback who played for teams including the Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, and Minnesota Vikings. Sports parents notice names like this.
• •Sage Brocklebank – Canadian actor known for playing Buzz McNab on Psych. For TV lovers, this is a fun “oh right!” connection.

Now the content gap I see everywhere—sage celebrity babies—deserves real space, because parents absolutely search it (and it’s often missing from name articles). Here are three celebrity children named Sage that you specifically asked to include:

• •Sage Lavinia – Daughter of model Shannan Click and actor Jack Huston.
• •Sage Ann – Daughter of journalists Kyra Phillips and John Roberts.
• •Sage Florence – Daughter of actress Toni Collette and musician Dave Galafassi.

I’ll tell you why this matters emotionally, not just SEO-wise: when you’ve lived through disappointment (hello, infertility), you start looking for “proof of life” everywhere—proof that good things can happen, proof that joy is allowed. Seeing a name used by real families you recognize makes it feel less like a risky leap and more like a path that’s already been walked.

Also: Sage is one of those rare names that feels equally believable on a baby, a teen, and a professional adult. That’s part of why celebrities like it—simple, memorable, brand-safe, but still meaningful.

What Athletes Are Named Sage?

The most prominent athlete named Sage is Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Sage Kotsenburg; other sports figures include NFL quarterback Sage Rosenfels and MMA fighter Sage Northcutt. The name has a surprisingly strong athletic footprint for a short, gentle-sounding name.

If you want the headline: Sage Kotsenburg is the kind of namesake that makes parents sit up straighter. He won the first-ever Olympic gold medal in men’s slopestyle snowboarding at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. That’s not just “an athlete named Sage”—that’s a historical sports moment attached to the name.

More athlete connections:

• •Sage Northcutt (MMA) – Known for his early UFC run and his “Wonderboy” persona. Whether or not you follow MMA, his visibility made Sage feel sporty, not only serene.
• •Sage Rosenfels (NFL) – Again, a major pro-sports association. “Sage” on a quarterback reads unexpectedly strong.
• •Sage Karam (Motorsports) – Not a “traditional” athlete in the ball-sport sense, but absolutely an elite competitor. Motorsports names often influence naming trends more than people realize.

I love this contrast: “Sage” means wise/healthy, it’s associated with calm and cleansing… and yet these athletes attach it to adrenaline and grit. That duality is honestly what so many of us want for our kids: a steady center and the courage to fly.

During our fourth IVF cycle, I remember sitting in my car after yet another monitoring appointment, hands on the steering wheel, whispering, “Please, just let this work.” If I had a child named Sage, I think the name would remind me—daily—that strength can be quiet.

What Songs and Movies Feature the Name Sage?

Songs and movies rarely use “Sage” as a title-name compared to more common names, but the word appears in artist names, character names, and nature/spiritual storytelling; the most recognizable pop-culture uses tend to be characters named Sage and works that use “sage” symbolically (wisdom, cleansing, healing). This makes it feel distinctive rather than overused.

Here’s where I need to be careful and honest: there are many songs and films that include the word “sage” (especially in lyrics about herbs, wisdom, or desert landscapes), but far fewer that feature “Sage” as a prominent title-name the way “Hey Jude” does. A lot of baby-name blogs make things up here—and I won’t.

What I can give you reliably are real, recognizable entertainment references where “Sage” shows up as a name or key identity:

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TV/Film performer associations that keep “Sage” familiar - **Sage Steele** (TV journalism) – Not entertainment in the fictional sense, but absolutely a screen presence people recognize. - **Sage Brocklebank** – As Buzz McNab on *Psych*, his name appears in credits and fan spaces, keeping “Sage” in pop-culture circulation.

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Character-name usage (especially in games/animation-adjacent media) A lot of “Sage” character usage is stronger in gaming and comics than in blockbuster film titles, which leads into the next section. Still, the takeaway for parents is important: **your child won’t be one of seven Sages in every classroom**, but the name won’t feel alien either. It’s that sweet spot.

If you’re specifically hunting for a song “with Sage in the title,” you may find indie tracks and smaller releases, but they’re not universally recognizable in the way parents usually mean when they ask this question. My best advice (and what I did when we were name-testing) is to search your own favorite artists and see whether “Sage” shows up—because the emotional association you already have with a musician matters more than a generic list.

Are There Superheroes Named Sage?

Yes—Sage appears as a notable character name in major superhero universes, most famously DC Comics’ Sage (a codename used by a member of the Outsiders), and Marvel’s Sage (Tessa), a mutant associated with the X-Men. These references give the name a smart, formidable edge.

This is one of my favorite “hidden strengths” of the name. Sage doesn’t just feel like a soft nature name; it also has a sharp, intelligent, tactical vibe in comics.

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Marvel: Sage (Tessa) In Marvel Comics, **Sage** (real name **Tessa**) is a mutant character associated with the X-Men world—often depicted as highly intelligent with analytical abilities. That aligns so naturally with *what does Sage mean*—wisdom, discernment, insight.

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DC: “Sage” as a heroic identity DC has used “Sage” in different ways, including as a codename/identity in team contexts (notably tied to the Outsiders in certain iterations). Even when the details shift across comic eras (comics are like that), the recurring theme is the same: **Sage = strategy, observation, brains**.

If you have older kids who love comics or gaming, this kind of association can make a baby name feel “cool” to siblings too—without you having to choose something overly flashy.

What Is the Spiritual Meaning of Sage?

Spiritually, Sage is associated with cleansing, protection, wisdom, and healing—largely through the sage plant and the archetype of “the sage” as a wise guide. Many people connect it with grounding energy, clarity, and intentional living.

Even if you’re not “woo” (I’m a little woo, in a tired-mom-with-a-gratitude-journal way), it’s hard to ignore how much spiritual symbolism is packed into this name.

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Sage as cleansing and protection In several Indigenous cultures, sage is used in traditional practices; it’s important to approach that with respect and not reduce it to a trend. In broader modern spirituality, people often associate sage with “clearing the air”—emotionally and energetically. As a name, that translates into a wish: *May you be protected. May you have clarity. May you be well.*

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Archetype: the wise one Across storytelling traditions, “the sage” archetype is the mentor: the one who sees the bigger picture. Not loud. Not performative. Just steady truth. If you’ve been through infertility, you may know how desperately you can crave that kind of steady.

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Numerology + zodiac-style associations (gentle, not deterministic) Many numerology systems assign meanings based on name spelling; results vary by method, so I won’t pretend there’s one “official” number. But broadly, Sage is often interpreted in numerology circles as carrying **introspective, thoughtful, truth-seeking** energy—very in line with the literal meaning.

Astrologically, parents sometimes pair “Sage” vibes with earth-sign energy (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) because it feels grounded and natural. Again—this isn’t fate. It’s poetry. And sometimes poetry is exactly what you need when you’re naming a miracle.

I remember lighting a candle the night before our embryo transfer and just sitting in the quiet, asking the universe (and God, and every ancestor who ever loved me) to let me become a mom. A name like Sage feels like the continuation of that prayer.

What Scientists Are Named Sage?

There are scientists and academic researchers with the surname or given name Sage, though the name is more visible institutionally through “SAGE Publications,” a major academic publisher, than through one universally famous scientist. Still, Sage has strong scientific “language vibes” because of its link to wisdom and Homo sapiens.

This is another area where a lot of baby-name content gets sloppy and invents “Dr. Sage Whoever.” The truth is: there isn’t one single Marie-Curie-level household-name scientist called Sage that dominates public memory.

But the name still resonates in scientific contexts for a few real reasons:

• •Latin wisdom roots: As I mentioned earlier, Sage connects conceptually to “sapient” and Homo sapiens. That association is subtle but real—Sage feels intellectually at home in academic spaces.
• •SAGE Publications: Founded in 1965, SAGE is one of the world’s largest academic publishers, especially known for social science and methodology texts. If you’ve been to grad school (or even just fallen down a research rabbit hole at 1 a.m. while holding a newborn), you’ve probably encountered SAGE books and journals.

So while your child may not have a famous “Scientist Sage” namesake to point to on a poster, the name itself doesn’t feel out of place in a lab, a classroom, or a research paper byline. It reads capable.

How Is Sage Used Around the World?

Sage is used internationally mostly in English-speaking countries, but its meaning translates beautifully across languages because the core idea—wisdom/health—exists everywhere. It’s also easy to pronounce in many languages, which adds to its global appeal.

Let’s fill the content gap around “sage meaning in different languages” in a way that’s actually helpful: the name “Sage” may not have a direct one-to-one equivalent everywhere, but the meaning does—and that’s what many parents want.

Here are meaning-neighbors (not exact translations as a name, but concept parallels):

• •Latin: connected to wisdom (sapere) and healing associations via salvare (through the herb’s broader linguistic family).
• •French: sage literally means “wise” or “well-behaved” (as an adjective), which is one reason the word traveled so cleanly into English.
• •Spanish: “wise” is sabio/sabia. “Healthy” is sano/sana. Parents who love the meaning might consider these as middle-name inspiration.
• •Italian: “wise” is saggio; “healthy” is sano.
• •German: “wise” is weise; “healthy” is gesund.
• •Japanese (conceptual): wisdom is often expressed as 知恵 (chie), though not used as “Sage.” The concept still resonates.

Pronunciation-wise, “Sage” tends to be straightforward for many languages because it’s short and doesn’t rely on tricky consonant clusters. That matters in multicultural families. I’ve watched friends navigate the pain of a beloved name being constantly mispronounced, and it can take the shine off something you chose with love.

Also: Sage is typically considered gender-neutral, which aligns with global trends toward flexible naming.

Should You Name Your Baby Sage?

Yes—if you want a short, gender-neutral name with a clear meaning (“wise”/“healthy”), modern recognition, and nature-rooted calm, Sage is a beautiful choice. It’s distinctive without being difficult, and it carries a hopeful intention.

Here’s my mom-heart answer, not just my writer answer: names are one of the first gifts we give our children. And when you’ve waited—when you’ve grieved—when you’ve hoped so hard it physically hurt—choosing a name can feel like placing a tiny flag on the moon. We made it here.

Sage is the kind of name that doesn’t shout. It doesn’t need to. It suggests a child who will grow into themselves with steadiness. A child who might be thoughtful, perceptive, unafraid of silence. And if life throws them storms (because it will), the name still holds.

If you’re considering it, here are a few quick “real life” pros I’d tell a friend over coffee:

• •Easy to spell, easy to say
• •Works for any gender
• •Strong meaning (sage name meaning is instantly understandable)
• •Not overly common, but familiar enough through public figures (Sage Steele, Sage Kotsenburg, Sage Northcutt)
• •Beautiful with many middle names (Sage Elizabeth, Sage Alexander, Sage Marigold, Sage Olivia… it’s flexible)

After everything we went through, I never take a single moment for granted—and I especially don’t take for granted the moment a parent looks at their baby and whispers their name for the first time. If you choose Sage, you’re not just choosing a word. You’re choosing a wish:

**May you be wise. May you be well. May you move through this world with a steady light inside you.**

And honestly? That’s the kind of name that can hold a whole miracle.