Genesis is the beginning of everything, and as a name for a boy it carries that cosmological weight with an unexpected elegance. Ranked #1149 with a peak in 2020 and 3,513 total SSA uses, it is a name that has found more favor for girls in American usage, but its Greek roots and biblical gravity make it a meaningful choice for a son.
Greek Origin: The Word That Opened Everything
Genesis derives from the Greek genesis (γένεσις), meaning origin, creation, beginning. It is the first word of the Greek Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Bible, the text that shaped Western civilization, and it gave the entire first book of the Bible its English name. As a given name, Genesis carries the full weight of that association: not simply a beginning, but the beginning. Parents exploring Greek names will find Genesis occupies a category of names where the word's meaning is so fundamental it barely needs elaboration.
Musical Legacy
The British rock band Genesis — formed in 1967 and featuring Peter Gabriel and later Phil Collins — gave the name a cultural dimension that stretches across decades of popular music. For parents with any connection to progressive rock, classic rock, or 1980s pop, the Genesis association is warm and musically rich. The band's longevity means this reference genuinely crosses generations rather than belonging narrowly to one era.
For Boys Specifically
In American SSA data, Genesis reads as predominantly feminine — it has appeared more often for girls, particularly in Latino communities where it has been enthusiastically embraced. Parents choosing it for a son are going against the grain of American usage, which some families will find appealing and others will find complicating. The name's Greek and biblical roots are themselves gender-neutral, and in many Latin American countries it functions as a male name without comment. If the feminine association in American contexts matters to you, compare Genesis against similar options or explore G names for alternatives with a cleaner masculine profile.