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 name Paige has seen fluctuations in popularity over the past century. It peaked in usage during the mid-1960s to late-1970s, with highs of 25 births in 1968 and 25 births in 1970. However, there was a significant drop in its usage by the early 1980s, with only 9 births recorded in 1978. There were no recorded births with the name Paige from 1983 to 1996. The name saw a resurgence starting around the year 2000, reaching another peak of 26 births in 2004, but has since declined again. The most recent data available shows only 5 births in both 2014 and 2017. Overall, there have been a total of 1335 births with the name Paige over this period.