Home › Baby Names Directory › Genevieve

Genevieve

♀ Girl

Pronounced JEN-uh-veev /ˈdʒɛn.ə.viːv/High

Meaning: Tribe woman, woman of the people — from Old German Genovefa, possibly from Germanic geno (race, people) + wefa (woman) or wīf (wife)Medium

In 30 seconds: The patron saint of Paris, Genevieve is a grand French name of Germanic origin meaning 'woman of the people.' Stately and romantic, it is enjoying a confident modern revival.

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumFrench, Germanic

MeaningTribe woman, woman of the people — from Old German Genovefa, possibly from Germanic geno (race, people) + wefa (woman) or wīf (wife)

U.S. rank (2025)#148 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births1,981 girls (0.12% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 125,100

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Genevieve is the French form of the Frankish name Genovefa, of disputed Germanic etymology. The most cited interpretation derives it from Germanic geno (kin, people, race) and wefa or wīf (woman, wife), meaning 'woman of the people' or 'tribe woman.' The name was made eternally famous by Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris.

Genevieve has been in continuous use in France since the early medieval period. In the United States it was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, declined mid-century, and began a significant revival in the 2000s. It entered the U.S. top 200 girls' names by the 2010s, appealing to parents seeking a long, romantic, French-flavored classic.

Did you know? Saint Geneviève (c. 422–512) famously persuaded the people of Paris not to flee when Attila the Hun was approaching, promising that God would protect the city. Attila turned away — and Geneviève became the patron saint of Paris.

Variations

GenevièveGenoveva

Nicknames

GenieGenVivEvie

Famous Bearers

★Saint Geneviève (c. 422–512)
Patron saint of Paris who reportedly protected the city from Attila the Hun through prayer.

If you like Genevieve…

Vivienne— four-syllable French classic with the same romantic, stately appeal

Eleanor— grand European classic with the same revival momentum and timeless elegance

Josephine— another long, romantic French classic popular with the same audience

Jenevieve— shares the -ve ending

Aubrielle— lands in the same popularity range

Frequently Asked

What does the name Genevieve mean?

Genevieve is thought to mean 'woman of the people' or 'tribe woman,' from Germanic elements, though the exact etymology is debated.

How do you pronounce Genevieve?

Genevieve is pronounced JEN-uh-veev /ˈdʒɛn.ə.viːv/ — four syllables with stress on the first.

Is Genevieve a boy or girl name?

Genevieve is a girls' name.

How popular is Genevieve?

Genevieve entered the U.S. top 200 girls' names in the 2010s and continues to rise as part of the grand-vintage name revival.