Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Gene
Gene
Pronounced JEEN /ΛdΝ‘Κin/Medium
Meaning: Well bornMedium
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Gene means 'well born' and is the short, everyday form of Eugene, which traces back to the Greek Eugenios. The clipped one-syllable shape made it a common American given name in its own right. It was worn by the football players Gene Upshaw (1945β2008) and Gene Hickerson (1935β2008).
Its longer relatives β Eugenios, Eugenius and the Belarusian Yauhen β show the full 'well born' name that Gene trimmed down.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- β
Gene Upshaw (1945β2008)Football player.
- β
Gene Hickerson (1935β2008)Football player.
If you like Geneβ¦
Explore names like Gene
Frequently Asked
What does the name Gene mean?
Gene is usually explained as meaning 'well born' and is most often linked with English tradition.
How do you pronounce Gene?
It's commonly said JEEN /ΛdΝ‘Κin/.
Is Gene a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Gene is used as a boy name.
How popular is Gene?
In 2024, Gene ranked #1905 in the U.S. for boys, with 83 births recorded.