"beginning, origin"
Genesis
Pronunciation: [ j-EHN-uhs-uhs ]
The name of all beginnings
Meaning & Origin
"birth, creation"
The Story of Genesis
Genesis comes directly from the Greek word 'genesis,' meaning origin, creation, or birth, which itself derived from the Hebrew 'bereishit' (in the beginning). As the title of the first book of the Bible, it carries the weight of creation itself. The name Genesis began appearing on birth certificates in the 1980s in the United States, initially among Christian families who drew inspiration from scripture.
Genesis entered the US top 1000 in 1997 and climbed steadily, reaching the top 50 for boys by the 2010s. It resonates strongly in Latino communities across the US and Latin America, where biblical names carry deep cultural weight.
In Christian and Jewish traditions, Genesis is the foundational text describing creation. Using it as a name signals deep faith and a desire to connect a child to the story of beginnings. In Latino culture it blends seamlessly, pronounced heh-NEH-sis.
Fun Facts
- Genesis is both a boy's and girl's name in the US, though it ranks higher for girls overall
- The name was nearly unheard of before 1985 and rose entirely on its own cultural momentum
- Genesis is one of the few book-of-the-Bible names used by both sexes
Genesis in Other Languages
Famous People Named Genesis
Genesis Rodriguez
Actor
1987
American actress known for Man on a Ledge and Tusk
Genesis (band)
Musician
1967
Iconic British rock band featuring Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel
Genesis P-Orridge
Musician
1950
British avant-garde musician and artist, founder of Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,149
- Total SSA Count
- 182
- Cultural Origins
- American Latino Christian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Genesis is also used as a girl name, ranked #55.
View Genesis as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis
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About the Name Genesis
Genesis is a boy name with American, Latino, and Christian origins . The name means "beginning, origin" in Hebrew via Greek .
Is Genesis a boy or girl name? Genesis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,149 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #55. Genesis is more commonly used as a girl name.
Genesis is currently ranked #1,149 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Genesis has 3 syllables and is pronounced j-EHN-uhs-uhs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Genesis include Gen and Genny. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Genesis include Gene . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.