The name Gage has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1914 and 1972, there were fewer than 20 births each year with the name Gage. However, starting from 1973, the number of births began to increase dramatically, reaching an all-time high of 358 births in 2023.
From 1973 to 2016, the name Gage was particularly popular, with over 20 births each year for most of those years. The peak of this popularity came between 1990 and 2004, during which there were over 600 births each year. In fact, 2001 saw a record number of 2759 babies named Gage.
However, since 2016, the popularity of the name has been declining once again. Between 2016 and 2023, there were fewer than 1000 births each year with the name Gage. Despite this recent decline in popularity, Gage remains a recognizable name that has been given to over 60,000 babies born in the United States since 1914.
Overall, while the name Gage may not be the most popular choice for parents today, its history shows a clear pattern of rising and falling popularity over time. Its enduring popularity can perhaps be attributed to its strong and unique sound, as well as its association with the popular novel by Nicholas Sparks called "The Notebook," which features a character named Noah Gage Calhoun.