Given name
Genesis
“of the beginning; the first book of the Bible”·“of the beginning”
Genesis is used as a given name. Interpretations include “of the beginning; the first book of the Bible” (Hebrew) and “of the beginning” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “of the beginning; the first book of the Bible” (Hebrew) and “of the beginning” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Hebrew.
How it developed
In English usage, Genesis developed from Γένεσις.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1964. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Genesis through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 97,244
- 3,666 boys · 93,578 girls
- Most popular year
- 2016
- 4,450 babies
- 2025
- 3,676
- #66 for girls · #1,305 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −12%
- Easing
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 5% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 3,527 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 66 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 12.8% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 4,351 in 2016. It also appeared in 149 birth records for boys in 2025. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (626). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 62,795 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Genesis’s family of names
In English usage, Genesis has an affectionate form in Gigi. In English usage, Genesis developed from the Ancient Greek form Γένεσις. Genesis has a related form in Genessa.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 14
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 3
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Genesis
- Genesis P-OrridgeBritish artist, musician and writer (1950–2020)
- Tommy GenesisCanadian rapper, model and singerborn 1990
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Genesis, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Selah
“to hang”
1% boys · 99% girls
Anaiah
“Yah has answered” · “afflicted of Yah”
>99% girls
Adaiah
“Yahweh has adorned” · “ornament of the Lord”
16% boys · 84% girls
Seraiah
“Yah retains”
4% boys · 96% girls
Zeruiah
“balsam of Yah”
>99% girls
Azaliah
“Yah has set aside” · “Yah has reserved”
>99% girls
Asherah
“progression” · “happiness”
>99% girls
Ehi
“brotherly” · “my brother”
>99% girls