"well-born, noble (from Eugenia)"
Origin: Greek
Language: Ancient Greek
Gena
Pronunciation: [ j-EHN-uh ]
Does Gena flow with your last name?
Vintage Hollywood glamour in four letters
American
English
Italian
Vintage
Simple
Feminine
Hollywood
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Gena
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Gena
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"God is gracious (from Jean/Jane lineage)"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"queen (from Regina)"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Gena
See all →What the Gena report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Gena the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Gena
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Gena head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Gena actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Gena
Gena is a variant spelling of Gina, which itself functions as both an independent name and a short form of several names. As a short form of Georgina or Regina, it derives from Greek 'georgos' (farmer) or Latin 'regina' (queen). It may also be a form of Eugenia from Greek 'eugenios' meaning 'well-born' or 'noble.' As a variant of Jean/Jane (from Hebrew John), it carries the meaning 'God is gracious.' The spelling with a 'G' rather than a 'J' gives it a softer, more Mediterranean feel.
Gena and Gina peaked in the 1950s-1960s, riding the wave of Italian-American cultural influence and the popularity of actress Gina Lollobrigida. The name evokes a particular mid-century Hollywood glamour.
Gina became fashionable in postwar America partly through Italian cinema's influence and the visibility of Italian-American culture. Names ending in '-ina' and their shortened forms carried an exotic, glamorous quality in that era.
Historical Record
Gena first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 11,396 babies have been named Gena in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Gena is past its peak , currently ranked #17,315 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Gina Lollobrigida, dubbed 'The Most Beautiful Woman in the World' in the 1950s, helped make this name synonymous with Italian glamour
- The name appeared in the top 200 US girls' names from the 1950s through the 1980s before gradually declining
Gena in Other Languages
Greek
Τζίνα
French
Gina
German
Gina
Italian
Gina
Spanish
Gina
Popularity Over Time
#17,315
Current Rank
Peaked 1968
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Gena
G
Gena Lee Nolin
Actor
1971
American actress and model known for her role on Baywatch
G
Gena Rowlands
Actor
1930
American actress renowned for her collaborations with director John Cassavetes, considered one of the greatest film actr...
American actress renowned for her collaborations with director John Cassavetes, considered one of the greatest film actresses of her generation
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #17,315
- Total SSA Count
- 8
- Cultural Origins
- American English Italian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Gen
Genie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Gena
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Gena
Phonetic neighbors that share Gena's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Gena fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Gena →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Gena with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Gena
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Gena and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Gena sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Polli
Girl
Hebrew/Latin origin
"star of the sea, beloved"
#17,169 in US
Benna
Girl
Hebrew origin
"blessed"
#17,128 in US
Rozie
Girl
English origin
"rosy-cheeked, bright"
#17,274 in US
Chrome
Girl
Greek chroma via Modern English origin
"color, lustrous metallic finish"
#17,488 in US
Louvina
Girl
Latin origin
"pure, clean"
#17,382 in US
Luvlee
Girl
Old English luflice origin
"lovely, beautiful, delightful"
#17,512 in US
Adam
Girl
Proto-Semitic origin
"red, reddish"
#17,282 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Gena's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gena
What does the name Gena mean?
"well-born, noble (from Eugenia)" (from Greek). "God is gracious (from Jean/Jane lineage)" (from Hebrew). "queen (from Regina)" (from Latin). Gena is a variant spelling of Gina, which itself functions as both an independent name and a short form of several names. As a short form of Georgina or Regina, it derives from Greek 'georgos' (farmer) or Latin 'regina' (queen). It may also be a form of Eugenia from Greek 'eugenios' meaning 'well-born' or 'noble.' As a variant of Jean/Jane (from Hebrew John), it carries the meaning 'God is gracious.' The spelling with a 'G' rather than a 'J' gives it a softer, more Mediterranean feel.
What is the origin of the name Gena?
Gena has Greek, Hebrew, Latin, American, English, and Italian origins. In Greek, it means "well-born, noble (from Eugenia)". In Hebrew, it means "God is gracious (from Jean/Jane lineage)". In Latin, it means "queen (from Regina)".
Is Gena a boy or girl name?
Gena is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Gena?
Gena is pronounced j-EHN-uh.
How popular is the name Gena?
Gena is currently ranked #17315 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Gena?
Common nicknames for Gena include Gen and Genie.
What are good middle names for Gena?
Popular middle name pairings include Gena Marie, Gena Lynn, Gena Lee, Gena Rose, and Gena Louise.
What are good sibling names for Gena?
Names that pair well with Gena as siblings include Dena, Rena, Lena, and Tina.
How many syllables does Gena have?
Gena has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Gena a common or rare name?
Gena is an uncommon name, ranked #17315 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Gena?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Gena
Gena is a girl name with American, English, and Italian origins . The name means "well-born, noble (from Eugenia)" in Greek .
Gena is currently ranked #17,315 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Gena has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-EHN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Gena include Gen and Genie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Gena include Genesis, Genevieve, Geneva, Gentry, Genevie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Greek Names
Browse all names with this origin
G
Names Starting with G
More girl names like Gena
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis