Declining since 2007, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Genevive since 1892
Babies named Genevive per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1923, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Genevive's real moment was 1896.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 12 |
| 1900s | 25 |
| 1910s | 172 |
| 1920s | 234 |
| 1930s | 131 |
| 1940s | 71 |
| 1950s | 46 |
| 1960s | 34 |
| 1970s | 14 |
| 1980s | 30 |
| 1990s | 57 |
| 2000s | 147 |
| 2010s | 64 |
| 2020s | 40 |
Meaning & origin
Genevive is a rare and distinctive variant of the classic Genevieve. First recorded in the United States in 1892, it saw its peak year in 1896, but its use has been falling steadily since around 2007. In 2025, only about 1 in 200,908 newborns received this name, making it an uncommon choice. The name is essentially a simplified spelling of Genevieve, reflecting a 19th-century trend toward phonetic respellings. While Genevieve has experienced periodic revivals, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the Genevive form remains obscure, never appearing among the top U.S. baby names. Its lack of top state associations suggests it has been used sparingly across the country. For parents seeking the elegance of Genevieve in a more streamlined form, Genevive offers a unique option with a vintage feel.
Genevive is a rare variant of Genevieve, which is the English form of the French name Geneviève. The French name derives from the Germanic name Genovefa, likely composed of elements meaning 'race, family' and 'wife' or possibly from a Celtic source meaning 'white wave'. Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris, popularized the name in medieval France.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gen, Viv, Vivi, Genny
Sibling names for Genevive
Names that share Genevive's style, for a brother or sister.
