Given name

Genoveva

“of the juniper tree”·“of the race of women; the white wave”

Genoveva is a variant of Geneva. One French interpretation is “of the juniper tree.” Its derivation is not certain. Genoveva is a variant of Genevieve. One French interpretation is “of the race of women; the white wave.”

Meaning & origin

What it means

Genoveva is a variant of Geneva. One French interpretation is “of the juniper tree.” Its derivation is not certain. Genoveva is a variant of Genevieve. One French interpretation is “of the race of women; the white wave.”

Explained through its name family

Where it comes from

Genoveva is a variant of Geneva. A possible origin is French, although the derivation remains uncertain. Genoveva is a variant of Genevieve. An origin associated with Genevieve is French.

Explained through its name family

How it developed

Possibly from Medieval Latin Genovefa, from Proto-Celtic *genos (“family, clan”), built from Proto-Germanic *kunją (“kin, family”) + *wībą (“woman, wife”).

Adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The story

Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1885. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.

From dated birth records

Genoveva through the years

Babies since 1880
2,577
0 boys · 2,577 girls
Most popular year
1925
51 babies
2025
7
#12,339 for girls
2021–25 vs 2016–20
−20%
Easing
02040601900192019401960198020002025Highest share 18954.4
Genoveva in U.S. Social Security birth records, 1885–2025, per million girls born. Years with fewer than five births for a sex are not published and appear as zero. Use the arrow keys to step through years.

By the numbers

In 2025, this name appeared in 7 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 12,339 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 19.6% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 6,262 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.

Genoveva’s family of names

In German usage, Genoveva has a short form in Eva. In German usage, Genoveva has a later derivative in Genovéva. Genoveva has a related form in Genevieve.

Walk Genoveva’s family in the name graph

GenovevaĜenovevaEvaGenevieveGenevaGenowefaGenoveffaGenevievaGenovaitėΓενοβέφαGenevièveGenovéva

Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.

Hover or tab through the constellation to see how each name is related. Bigger dots are names more people in the U.S. share.

Around the world

Genoveva has relatives in 7 languages.

French

8 related names in 7 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.

Each dot marks where a language is rooted, not where people with the name live today. Bigger dots hold more names. Language locations from Glottolog (CC BY 4.0); map from Natural Earth.

Nicknames & forms 3

Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.

Spellings & scripts 1

The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.

See also 1

Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.

Similar names

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“crowned with laurel; from the laurel tree”

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Sibling ideas

Names that share Genoveva’s feel without repeating its first letter or rhyming with it.

A brother for Genoveva

A sister for Genoveva