Holding steady.
Popularity of Genella since 1908
Babies named Genella per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1925, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Genella's real moment was 1908.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 25 |
| 1920s | 77 |
| 1930s | 44 |
| 1940s | 30 |
| 1950s | 26 |
| 1960s | 12 |
| 1970s | 7 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Genella is an exceptionally rare name, appearing only once in the Social Security Administration's records, in 1908. That single occurrence marks its peak year, after which it vanished from the data. With no births recorded in the latest year (2025), it remains a historical curiosity rather than a living name. The name's origins are unclear; it may be a feminine elaboration of Gene, itself a short form of Eugene, or a variant of the similarly obscure Jenella. Given its scarcity, Genella has no identifiable top states or geographic concentration. For parents drawn to turn-of-the-century obscurities with a melodic 'ella' ending, Genella offers a unique choice, but its complete lack of contemporary usage means it would likely be unfamiliar to most.
Genella appears to be a rare feminine given name that emerged in the early 20th century, likely as an elaboration of names like Gene or Jenella. It may be a diminutive or affectionate form of Gene, which itself is a short form of Eugene, from Greek eugenēs meaning 'well-born.' Alternatively, it could be a variant of Jenella, a name of uncertain origin. The name saw minimal use, with the only recorded occurrence in the Social Security data being in 1908. It has not been common enough to appear in top-ranked lists.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Jenella
Sibling names for Genella
Names that share Genella's style, for a brother or sister.
