Every year, we mark National Sage Day on March 1. Sage is a unisex Latin name that means “wise one.” During the Middle Ages, the term was coined to describe Ancient Greek philosophers who had a cult following that lasted for generations. Sage can also refer to a spiritual teacher or a plant with medicinal characteristics. It reached the top 1,000 for both genders about the same time in the early 1990s, but the girls have moved ahead. The smoke produced from burning sage leaves was thought to confer wisdom by the Greeks and Romans. Arab physicians in the 900s also claimed that sage granted immortality.
History of National Sage Day
Around the early 1100s, the English got the word from the French word ‘sabius.’ The Old French word was derived from the Latin term ‘sapere,’ which means “having good taste; to be wise.” Today, the term ‘sage’ represents an individual of “profound wisdom” in both English and French.
Even though Sage is a unisex name, it is currently more popular among newborn girls than boys. While Sage began as a boy’s name, it was swiftly followed by Sage for girls in 1993, and by 1999, she had eclipsed her male counterpart.
Sage is now more than twice as popular among girls as it is among boys, yet it remains neutral. Parents in the United States have now established a new spelling variation for their daughters: Saige. It’s also the middle name of musician Pink’s daughter, Willow Sage.
According to Social Security Administration data, Sage is number 223 on the list of most popular girl names and number 442 on the boys’ list in the United States. In October 2021, Sage reached its peak popularity in over five years, according to Google search data stats.
Furthermore, Sage isn’t just a name. It also refers to a specific herb. In this regard, the word is a derivative of the French term ‘sauge’ and the Latin word ‘salvus,’ which means healthy. Its name symbolizes the herb’s amazing healing properties and its usage in warding off evil spirits.
National Sage Day timeline
American television anchor Steele is born on November 28.
Sage starts as a name for newborn boys.
People adopt the Sage name for female children.
American fiction writer Walker wins the Locus Award for her first novel “Whiteout.”
Females named Sage exceed the numbers of their male counterparts.
Sage’s popularity peaks in October.
National Sage Day FAQs
Is Sage a Greek name?
In classical philosophy, a sage is someone who has gained wisdom. A “good person” (Ancient Greek: agathos) and a “virtuous person” (Ancient Greek: spoudaios) have also been used interchangeably with the name.
What is the personality of people named Sage?
This personality enjoys the thrills of life and is adaptable to a variety of settings. Sage’s personality thrives on the unknown and wants to be in steady motion as a natural adventurer. It gives them a sense of being alive.
What is a good middle name for Sage?
Sage Meadow is a fun name while Sage Brooklynn has a modern twist. Sage Reagan, Sage Elizabeth, and Sage Victoria are elegant and classy names.
National Sage Day Activities
Use the name
The best way to celebrate Sage Day is to use the name. If you have a newborn girl or boy, name them Sage and they just might grow up to be wise and strong.
Find your name twin
Name days are special days for the bearers. Make your day twice as special by looking for someone — or two — that shares your name.
Throw a party
Name days are like a second birthday each year. Mark the special occasion with a party with friends and family.
5 Interesting Facts About Sage
Girls outnumber boys
In 2020, about 667 newborn boys and 1,301 girls were named Sage.
At least one newborn is named Sage
One in 1,346 newborn girls and one in 2,746 newborn boys were named Sage in 2020.
Dexter Morgan’s mom
Laura Moser, Morgan’s mother in the T.V. show “Dexter” was played by Sage Kirkpatrick.
Sage Mellet’s claim to fame
Mellet is the sister of the popular musician, Troye Sivan.
Sage has a dark past
The critically-acclaimed T.V. series “The Vampire Diaries” had a character named Sage who acted as a mentor for the co-lead character, Damon Salvatore.
Why We Love National Sage Day
It makes Sages feel special
We all deserve to feel loved, celebrated, and special. Name days offer an avenue for self-appreciation and help us feel better about ourselves.
It helps you understand your identity
Learning about the history, origins, and different translations of a name is what name days are all about. We get to understand our identities far more than we ever did.
It unites families
As we learn more about our names, families share stories about the inspiration behind name choices. We get the opportunity to bond even more as we learn and celebrate.
National Sage Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 1 | Saturday |
| 2026 | March 1 | Sunday |
| 2027 | March 1 | Monday |
| 2028 | March 1 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | March 1 | Thursday |
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