Eugene
Eugene is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Well-born or noble.
Origin and history
Eugene is a classic male name derived from the Greek name Eugenios, meaning well-born or noble. It was a popular staple in the United States throughout the early-to-mid 20th century and remains an enduring traditional choice. Today, it carries a vintage, classic charm.
Popularity in the United States
380,708 babies in the United States have been named Eugene since 1880. It ranks #91 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #834.
States where it is most popular
- NY (9.8 %)
- PA (8.3 %)
- IL (6.1 %)
- CA (5.1 %)
- OH (5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 3,430 |
| 1890-1900 | 4,303 |
| 1900-1910 | 5,909 |
| 1910-1920 | 35,161 |
| 1920-1930 | 84,755 |
| 1930-1940 | 70,938 |
| 1940-1950 | 57,275 |
| 1950-1960 | 48,281 |
| 1960-1970 | 29,311 |
| 1970-1980 | 16,534 |
| 1980-1990 | 10,560 |
| 1990-2000 | 6,088 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,743 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,845 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,575 |
Famous people named Eugene
- Eugene O'Neill: Playwright
- Eugene Levy: Actor, Comedian
- Eugene Cernan: Astronaut, Naval Aviator
Nicknames
Gene, Geno
Fun facts
- The name combines the Greek elements 'eu' (good, well) and 'genos' (birth, race), translating literally to well-born.
- Eugene spent many decades in the top 100 most popular U.S. male names during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.