Gene
Gene is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Well-born or noble.
Origin and history
Gene is a traditional masculine name derived as a short form of Eugene, coming from the Greek name Eugenios. It was extremely popular in the United States throughout the early-to-mid 20th century. Today, it is used less frequently, giving it a classic, vintage charm.
Popularity in the United States
126,877 babies in the United States have been named Gene since 1880. It ranks #265 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1462.
States where it is most popular
- CA (6.6 %)
- TX (6.4 %)
- IL (5.7 %)
- OH (5.6 %)
- NY (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 129 |
| 1890-1900 | 219 |
| 1900-1910 | 554 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,870 |
| 1920-1930 | 17,579 |
| 1930-1940 | 29,313 |
| 1940-1950 | 27,739 |
| 1950-1960 | 19,694 |
| 1960-1970 | 13,701 |
| 1970-1980 | 6,233 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,621 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,058 |
| 2000-2010 | 999 |
| 2010-2019 | 695 |
| 2020-2029 | 473 |
Famous people named Gene
- Gene Kelly: Dancer, Actor
- Gene Wilder: Actor, Comedian
- Gene Hackman: Actor
Fun facts
- Gene originated as an abbreviated form of Eugene, which stems from Greek roots meaning well-born.
- Gene peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s before declining in the late 20th century.