Rising since 1985, #66 for girls today.
Popularity of Genesis since 1964
Babies named Genesis per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 12 |
| 1970s | 278 |
| 1980s | 1,121 |
| 1990s | 8,685 |
| 2000s | 21,434 |
| 2010s | 40,524 |
| 2020s | 21,524 |
Meaning & origin
Genesis is a name with strong spiritual and cultural resonance, drawn directly from the Greek word for 'beginning' and the first book of the Bible. The name first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1964 and has grown steadily in popularity, particularly since 1985 when it began a sustained upward trajectory. It reached its peak rank of 1st in 2017, when it was among the most popular names for newborn girls. In 2025, it holds rank 66, with 1 in every 456 baby girls receiving the name. Geographically, Genesis is most popular in the District of Columbia, Delaware, and Maryland, areas with diverse populations. The name has broad appeal across religious and cultural backgrounds, often chosen for its symbolic meaning of new beginnings.
Genesis is derived from the Greek word 'genesis' meaning 'origin, creation, birth'. It was adopted as a name by English-speaking Christians in the 20th century, referencing the first book of the Bible, which describes the creation of the world. The name gained popularity in the United States during the 1970s and has been consistently used since.
Where Genesis is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Genesis” around the world
Where Genesis lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gen, Genny
Sibling names for Genesis
Names that share Genesis's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Genesis
Names whose popularity has moved with Genesis's over the last 50 years.
