Gage is a short, sharp male name that sounds like it means business — it's an occupational surname from Old French gauge, meaning "pledge" or "measure," and it carries the no-nonsense energy of names that sound more like they belong on someone dangerous than on a household pet. That gap is most of its appeal.
The Stephen King Shadow
Gage Creed is the name of the young child in Stephen King's Pet Sematary — which makes it one of the more sobering references to apply to an actual pet. Owners who know the novel and still choose the name are either Stephen King fans who've made their peace with the association, or they came to the name independently. Both situations produce a dog named Gage who cannot be blamed for the literary baggage.
The Masculine Sound Profile
One syllable, hard G, long A — Gage calls cleanly and with authority. It's in the same sonic register as Blade and Ace: names that project confidence. Works on large, athletic male dogs with protective instincts: Rottweilers, American Staffordshires, German Shepherds.
The Counter-Reading: The Pet Sematary Problem
Not everyone will know the King connection. Those who do will react. Owners should have their prepared response — "I love the name, not the plot" covers most situations adequately.