Gaige is a unique and distinctive male given name of American origin. It is derived from the English surname "Gage," which has Norman roots and means "pledge" or "vow." The name was brought to England by the Normans during their conquest in the 11th century, and it originally referred to someone who served as a pledge or guarantor for a debt or agreement.
In medieval times, the surname Gage was often passed down through generations, with many families adopting it as their hereditary last name. Over time, some of these families began using variants of the name as given names for their children. Gaige is one such variant, appearing in records as early as the late 19th century.
Despite its English origins and surname history, Gaige remains relatively uncommon today, even within the United States. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it has never cracked the top 1000 most popular boys' names in America. This scarcity contributes to Gaige's unique appeal and sets it apart from more common choices like Jake or Gage (the latter being a more popular variant of the same name).
In summary, Gaige is an uncommon American male given name with Norman origins. It means "pledge" or "vow," and its rarity makes it an appealing choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their son. While it shares some similarities with other names like Jake or Gage, Gaige remains a unique option with its own history and meaning.
Gaige experienced a significant increase in popularity during the late 1980s to early 2000s, peaking in 2000 with 178 births. Since then, its usage has steadily declined, reaching an all-time low of 25 births in 2023.