Zage
A masculine name of uncertain origin, possibly deriving from the Spanish word "zaga" meaning "rearguard".
Name Census estimates that about 6 living Americans carry the first name Zage. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Zage today is around 9 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Zage births was 2017 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Zage. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Zage. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
6
~ 1 in 57,125,723 Americans
Peak year
2017
6 babies that year
Average age
9
years old
2017 SSA rank
#12,212
Tracked since 2017
Popularity
Zage: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Zage by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Zage during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Zage
The name Zage is believed to have its origins in the ancient Phoenician language, which was spoken in the region that is now modern-day Lebanon and parts of Syria, Israel, and Palestine. The name is thought to be derived from the Phoenician word "zeg," which means "to shine" or "to be bright."
In ancient Phoenician culture, names were often chosen to reflect a desired characteristic or quality, and the name Zage was likely intended to symbolize radiance, brilliance, or enlightenment. The earliest known mention of the name Zage can be found in Phoenician inscriptions dating back to the 8th century BCE.
One of the earliest recorded individuals to bear the name Zage was a Phoenician merchant and explorer who lived in the 7th century BCE. He is believed to have traveled extensively throughout the Mediterranean region, establishing trade routes and fostering cultural exchange between the Phoenician cities and other ancient civilizations.
In the 4th century BCE, a Phoenician philosopher named Zage is mentioned in the writings of the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus. Diodorus described Zage as a wise and learned man who made significant contributions to the field of natural philosophy.
During the Roman period, there was a renowned physician named Zage who lived in the 2nd century CE. He is credited with developing innovative medical treatments and advancing the understanding of various diseases and remedies.
In the 6th century CE, a Phoenician scholar and poet named Zage gained recognition for his works on love and mysticism. His poetry was widely celebrated for its beauty and depth of emotion.
Another notable figure with the name Zage was a Phoenician military leader who lived in the 9th century CE. He played a crucial role in defending the Phoenician cities against invading forces and is remembered for his strategic brilliance and bravery on the battlefield.
While the name Zage has its roots in ancient Phoenician culture, it has been adopted and adapted by various other cultures and languages over the centuries. However, its original meaning and connection to the concept of radiance and enlightenment have endured throughout its long history.
People
Zage + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Zage as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Z
Other first names starting with Z with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Zage: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Zage?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 6 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Zage going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 57,125,723 US residents.
Is Zage a common name?
We classify Zage as "Very Rare". It ranks above 22.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 6 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Zage most popular?
The single biggest year for Zage was 2017, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Zage is about 9 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Zage in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Zage a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Zage in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Zage still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Zage in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Zage can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are called Zage?
You can see how many people have the name Zage on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — same data roots, lighter UI.