Gene
Gene is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Well-born, noble.
Origin and history
Gene is a given name derived from Eugene or Eugenia, originating from the Greek word 'eugenes' meaning 'well-born' or 'noble'. While historically more common for males, it has also been continuously used as a female name in the United States. In recent years, its usage for girls has become extremely rare.
Popularity in the United States
6,997 babies in the United States have been named Gene since 1880. It ranks #2022 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2096.
States where it is most popular
- TX (14.1 %)
- NY (12.4 %)
- PA (11.1 %)
- IL (7.8 %)
- CA (7.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 40 |
| 1890-1900 | 140 |
| 1900-1910 | 261 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,060 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,357 |
| 1930-1940 | 938 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,011 |
| 1950-1960 | 566 |
| 1960-1970 | 235 |
| 1970-1980 | 171 |
| 1980-1990 | 105 |
| 1990-2000 | 61 |
| 2000-2010 | 21 |
| 2010-2019 | 26 |
| 2020-2029 | 5 |
Fun facts
- The name comes from the ancient Greek root 'eugenes', combining 'eu' (good) and 'genos' (birth or race).
- Although far more common for males, Gene has a long history of recorded female usage in the United States.