Kage
Kage is a boy's name of Japanese origin.
Meaning
Shadow or shade; can also mean light or influence depending on the kanji used.
Origin and history
Kage is a rare modern name in the United States, derived from the Japanese word for shadow or shade. While uncommon, it has gained minor usage in recent decades partly due to its presence in pop culture, video games, and anime. In English, it is often pronounced to rhyme with cage or spoken with two syllables as kah-geh.
Popularity in the United States
1,539 babies in the United States have been named Kage since 1880. It ranks #3206 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1744.
States where it is most popular
- TX (30.6 %)
- CA (15.9 %)
- FL (10.9 %)
- OH (10.1 %)
- UT (7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 137 |
| 2000-2010 | 503 |
| 2010-2019 | 716 |
| 2020-2029 | 183 |
Fun facts
- The name's usage in the U.S. is partially influenced by characters in video games, manga, and martial arts media.
- American English speakers often pronounce Kage like the word 'cage', whereas the Japanese root is pronounced with two syllables.