Declining since 2018.
Popularity of Genesee since 1977
Babies named Genesee per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2005, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Genesee's real moment was 2017.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 16 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 43 |
| 2000s | 85 |
| 2010s | 108 |
| 2020s | 22 |
Meaning & origin
Genesee is a rare American name drawn from the Seneca language, referring to the Genesee River and valley in New York. First recorded in 1977, it saw its peak usage in 2017, but has been declining since 2018. The name has never ranked in the top 1,000 and remains an uncommon choice, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive place-inspired name with Native American roots. Its use is geographically scattered, with no strong concentration in any single state.
Genesee is derived from the Seneca (Iroquoian) word "jen-nis-hee-yo," meaning "shining valley" or "beautiful valley." It is also the name of a river and valley in New York State. The name gained limited use as a given name in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gen, Genny, See
Sibling names for Genesee
Names that share Genesee's style, for a brother or sister.
