Meaning & Origin
A male given name from Ancient Greek.
Eugene is a boy's and girl's baby name of Greek origin, from the Greek Eugenios, meaning "well-born" or "of noble descent," derived from eu (good, well) and genos (born, race). Two popes and four princes of Savoy have borne the name with great distinction.
Eugene was a U.S. top 20 name in the early 20th century. Eugene O'Neill, America's greatest dramatist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, gave the name a profound theatrical legacy. The nickname Gene has kept it accessible, while the full Eugene is now attracting parents who appreciate its distinguished, slightly offbeat vintage quality.