Holding steady.
Popularity of Genette since 1911
Babies named Genette per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1956, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Genette's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 19 |
| 1920s | 53 |
| 1930s | 71 |
| 1940s | 112 |
| 1950s | 107 |
| 1960s | 117 |
| 1970s | 79 |
| 1980s | 37 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 11 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Genette is a rare English feminine name that first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1911, its peak year. With a trajectory classified as stable, it has never entered the top 1000 and remains nearly unused today, with a 1-in-N value of null as of 2025. The name likely originated as a diminutive of Geneva or Genevieve, or as a variant of Janet, and saw modest use only in the 1910s. Its simple sweetness offers a vintage charm for parents seeking an uncommon name from that era, though it remains extremely rare with no recorded usage in any top state.
Genette appears as a rare English given name, likely a diminutive form of names beginning with Gen- such as Geneva or Genevieve, or a variant spelling of Janet. It may have been influenced by the French feminine suffix -ette. The name saw minor use in the early 20th century in the United States, particularly around the 1910s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gen, Nettie
Sibling names for Genette
Names that share Genette's style, for a brother or sister.
