Gene Boy

Popularity: #875 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: JEEN //dʒiːn//

Origin: Greek; English

Meaning: Greek: 'noble'; English: diminutive of Eugene

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Gene is derived from the Greek name Eugenios, which means "well-born" or "noble." This Greek term is a combination of the prefix "eu-" meaning "good" and "genes" meaning "born of" or "produced by." The name was adopted into Latin as Eugenus and later made its way into Old French as Eugène, before being anglicized to Gene in English. The transition into English occurred in the 19th century, reflecting a broader trend of adopting names from classical languages during this period.

Historically, the name Gene has been associated with various notable figures. One of the most significant early bearers was Saint Eugene, a 4th-century bishop of Carthage, who is recognized in the Christian tradition.

The name also appears in the context of the Renaissance, a time when classical names were revived and celebrated in literature and art. The influence of the name was further solidified through its appearance in various literary works and translations, including the King James Bible, which helped popularize biblical names and their variants in English-speaking cultures.

Culturally, the name Gene has resonated with themes of nobility and virtue, aligning with its etymological roots. It has been used in various forms of art and literature, often symbolizing a character of high moral standing or noble lineage.

Additionally, the diminutive form "Geno" has been used in some cultures, though Gene itself remains the more recognized form. The enduring appeal of the name can be attributed to its positive connotations and historical significance, making it a name that has transcended time and cultural shifts.

Famous people named Gene

In this section, you will find notable people named Gene. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Gene who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Gene who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Gene Hackman is an actor best known for The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Conversation.

Gene Wilder is an actor best known for Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein.

Gene Simmons is a musician best known for being the bassist and co-lead singer of KISS.

Gene Kelly is an actor and dancer best known for Singin' in the Rain, An American in Paris, and On the Town.

Gene Roddenberry is a television producer best known for creating Star Trek.

Gene Autry is a singer and actor best known for his cowboy films and the song Here Comes Santa Claus.

Gene Luen Yang is a graphic novelist best known for American Born Chinese, Boxers & Saints, and Dragon Hoops.

Gene Kranz is a NASA flight director best known for his role in the Apollo 13 mission.

Fictional characters named Gene

The following list of fictional characters named Gene is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Gene is a fictional character from the animated television series Bob's Burgers. He is the middle child of the Belcher family, known for his love of music and comedic antics.

Gene is a fictional character from the comic book series The X-Men. He is a mutant with the ability to manipulate sound waves, often using his powers in battles against adversaries.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gene, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Gene. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Gene was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Gene has ranked as high as #137 nationally, which occurred in 1928, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Illinois, Ohio, and New York.

In the past 5 years the name Gene has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Gene is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Gene was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Gene.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 63 63 0
2024 88 83 5
2023 76 76 0
2022 74 74 0
2021 81 81 0
2020 96 96 0
2019 86 80 6
2018 71 64 7
2017 88 88 0
2016 79 79 0
2015 75 67 8
2014 53 53 0
2013 67 67 0
2012 71 71 0
2011 66 61 5
2010 65 65 0
2009 81 81 0
2008 79 79 0
2007 85 85 0
2006 95 95 0
2005 99 93 6
2004 114 109 5
2003 111 106 5
2002 99 99 0
2001 134 129 5
2000 123 123 0
1999 160 160 0
1998 143 136 7
1997 169 164 5
1996 176 170 6
1995 183 174 9
1994 209 209 0
1993 231 221 10
1992 258 252 6
1991 313 305 8
1990 277 267 10
1989 297 291 6
1988 316 303 13
1987 331 324 7
1986 337 328 9
1985 351 344 7
1984 384 375 9
1983 386 374 12
1982 424 413 11
1981 437 418 19
1980 463 451 12
1979 499 488 11
1978 463 453 10
1977 536 523 13
1976 478 464 14
1975 573 556 17
1974 587 570 17
1973 639 625 14
1972 766 742 24
1971 903 878 25
1970 960 934 26
1969 1,050 1,038 12
1968 1,103 1,072 31
1967 1,092 1,068 24
1966 1,157 1,145 12
1965 1,328 1,307 21
1964 1,557 1,530 27
1963 1,585 1,564 21
1962 1,545 1,514 31
1961 1,689 1,667 22
1960 1,830 1,796 34
1959 1,970 1,934 36
1958 1,862 1,815 47
1957 1,876 1,839 37
1956 1,802 1,754 48
1955 1,951 1,892 59
1954 1,963 1,900 63
1953 2,068 2,006 62
1952 2,134 2,073 61
1951 2,305 2,231 74
1950 2,329 2,250 79
1949 2,539 2,444 95
1948 2,632 2,542 90
1947 3,008 2,894 114
1946 2,894 2,759 135
1945 2,479 2,373 106
1944 2,709 2,602 107
1943 2,967 2,865 102
1942 3,253 3,127 126
1941 3,150 3,073 77
1940 3,119 3,060 59
1939 3,085 3,014 71
1938 3,224 3,149 75
1937 3,240 3,165 75
1936 2,983 2,909 74
1935 3,006 2,937 69
1934 2,934 2,854 80
1933 2,867 2,780 87
1932 3,069 2,952 117
1931 2,888 2,766 122
1930 2,955 2,787 168
1929 2,971 2,810 161
1928 3,311 3,088 223
1927 3,048 2,802 246
1926 2,361 2,083 278
1925 1,953 1,579 374
1924 1,532 1,275 257
1923 1,387 1,170 217
1922 1,303 1,089 214
1921 1,056 873 183
1920 1,014 810 204
1919 836 676 160
1918 813 662 151
1917 716 542 174
1916 636 517 119
1915 633 493 140
1914 461 352 109
1913 324 248 76
1912 241 187 54
1911 147 102 45
1910 123 91 32
1909 120 81 39
1908 98 78 20
1907 89 65 24
1906 88 63 25
1905 68 44 24
1904 81 58 23
1903 77 45 32
1902 66 41 25
1901 54 31 23
1900 74 48 26
1899 37 22 15
1898 44 25 19
1897 30 19 11
1896 48 29 19
1895 42 28 14
1894 27 19 8
1893 34 22 12
1892 38 23 15
1891 31 15 16
1890 28 17 11
1889 20 11 9
1888 24 12 12
1887 26 19 7
1886 13 13 0
1885 25 20 5
1884 11 11 0
1883 10 10 0
1882 21 14 7
1881 12 12 0
1880 7 7 0

Top States for Gene (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 14
45%
TX 12
39%
IL 5
16%