Genesis
Genesis Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
JEN-ih-sis
Meaning of Genesis: Genesis derives from the Ancient Greek word genesis (γένεσις), meaning origin, creation, or beginning. The Greek translators of the Hebrew Bible used Genesis as the title of the first book—translating the Hebrew Bereshit (in the beginning)—which describes the creation of the world.
The word itself comes from the Greek verb gignesthai, to be born or come into being.
As a given name, Genesis is primarily a 20th-century American development. According to SSA records, it entered the girls’ top 1000 in 1990 and has climbed steadily since.
What Does Genesis Mean? Origin & Etymology
The name reflects a broader tradition of giving biblical book titles as personal names in American religious communities—alongside names like Genesis, Trinity, Eden, and Zion.
According to SSA records, Genesis entered the top 200 in 2001 and the top 100 in 2010. It peaked at rank 42 in 2012 with over 4,800 births. As of 2024, it ranks #55 with 4,264 registered births.
The name is especially popular in Hispanic-American communities, where it is pronounced heh-NEH-sis in Spanish and carries strong religious connotations.
The name’s appeal crosses denominational lines: it appears among Catholic, evangelical Protestant, and nondenominational Christian families.
Notably, the British rock band Genesis (formed 1967) gave the word secular cultural familiarity before it emerged as a naming trend, though the band’s direct influence on baby naming is difficult to measure from SSA figures alone.
Variants include the Spanish pronunciation form heh-NEH-sis (same spelling), Genesi (Italian), and the rare English Gennesis (alternate spelling). There is no standard masculine equivalent as a given name, though Genesis appears occasionally for boys in SSA records. Short forms Gen and Genny are used informally in English-speaking households.
How Popular Is Genesis?
Numerology & Symbolism of Genesis
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Genesis – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Genesis
What does Genesis mean?
Genesis means origin or beginning, from the Ancient Greek genesis. The Greek translators of the Hebrew Bible used it as the title of the first book, which describes the creation of the world. The word comes from the Greek verb meaning to be born or come into being.
Where does the name Genesis come from?
Genesis comes from the title of the first book of the Bible, which derives from Ancient Greek. It entered US naming in 1990 and reflects a tradition of giving biblical titles as personal names. It is especially popular in Hispanic-American communities.
How popular is Genesis in the US?
Genesis ranks #55 for girls in the US in 2024, according to SSA records, with 4,264 registered births. It peaked at rank #42 in 2012. It entered the top 100 in 2010 and remains one of the most popular biblical-title names in America.
Is Genesis popular in Hispanic communities?
Yes. Genesis is especially common in Hispanic-American communities, where it is pronounced heh-NEH-sis in Spanish. It carries strong religious connotations and crosses Catholic and evangelical Protestant denominational lines within Latino families across the US.
What are variants of Genesis?
Variants include the Spanish pronunciation form (same spelling), Genesi (Italian), and the rare spelling Gennesis. Short forms Gen and Genny are used informally. Genesis occasionally appears for boys in SSA records but is predominantly given to girls.