Paige is a feminine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "page," which originally referred to a young servant or attendant in a noble household. Over time, the term evolved to specifically refer to a boy who was training to become a knight.
Despite its original masculine connotation, Paige has been used as a feminine given name for centuries. The earliest known usage of Paige as a girl's name dates back to the 13th century in England. In the late Middle Ages and early modern period, it was not uncommon for girls to be named after occupations or titles, such as Joan (for a tailor) or Margaret (for a pearl). Therefore, naming a girl Paige would have been seen as appropriate during this time.
The name Paige gained popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it first appeared in the top 1000 names for girls in the U.S. in 1947 and reached its peak popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when it was consistently ranked among the top 250 names for girls.
Today, Paige continues to be a popular choice for parents naming their daughters. Its simple and timeless sound makes it appealing to many, while its unique spelling sets it apart from other names with similar pronunciations such as Paige or Peggy.
In terms of meaning, there is no specific definition associated with the name Paige. However, its historical connection to the concept of servitude or attendance may suggest qualities such as loyalty, devotion, or humility. Ultimately, however, the meaning of a name is largely determined by individual interpretation and association.
The given statistics provide an interesting overview of the number of births with the name "Paige" in the United States over a period spanning from 1914 to 2017.
From 1914 to 1968, the number of births with the name Paige fluctuated annually between 6 and 31. The highest peak during this time was seen in 1954 with 22 births. After a slight dip in the late 1960s, the popularity of the name increased significantly in the following decades.
In the 1980s and early 1990s, there were consistently more than 20 births per year, reaching an all-time high of 31 births in 1992. The popularity of the name began to decline after this peak, dropping to single digits by the late 1990s.
However, a resurgence occurred in the early 2000s with more than 10 births per year between 2000 and 2004. After another decline, there were five births each in 2014 and 2017.
In total, over the course of these years, there were 1335 births with the name Paige in the United States. This data illustrates how trends in naming can change over time, with peaks and troughs influenced by various factors such as cultural shifts, popular media, and personal preferences.