Genessa
Feminine name possibly derived from Genesis, initially a surname meaning "born of greatness".
Name Census estimates that about 456 living Americans carry the first name Genessa. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Genessa today is around 26 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Genessa births was 2014 (18 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Genessa. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
456
~ 1 in 751,654 Americans
Peak year
2014
18 babies that year
Average age
26
years old
2024 SSA rank
#14,008
Tracked since 1974
Popularity
Genessa: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Genessa from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 120 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2010s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Genessa by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Genessa during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Genessas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Genessa
Genessa is a feminine given name with origins that can be traced back to Ancient Greece. The name is derived from the Greek word "genesis," which means "origin" or "creation." In Greek mythology, Genesis was the goddess of birth and creation, making the name a fitting choice for a newborn child.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Genessa can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century BC. He mentioned a woman named Genessa from the city of Ephesus, who was known for her skill in weaving intricate tapestries.
During the Byzantine era, which lasted from the 4th to the 15th century AD, the name Genessa gained popularity among the Greek Orthodox Christian community. It was often given to girls born around the time of the Feast of the Nativity, as a way to celebrate the birth of Christ and the creation of the world.
In the Middle Ages, the name Genessa made its way to Western Europe, particularly in Italy and France. One notable figure from this period was Genessa de Montferrat (1115-1145), a noblewoman from the Duchy of Montferrat in northern Italy. She was known for her involvement in the political affairs of the region and her patronage of the arts.
Another prominent figure with the name Genessa was Genessa de Vivonne (1619-1684), a French aristocrat and courtier at the court of King Louis XIV. She was renowned for her wit and intellect, and was a member of the famous literary salon hosted by the Marquise de Rambouillet.
In the 19th century, the name Genessa experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in the United States. One notable American woman with this name was Genessa Garfield (1832-1904), the wife of President James A. Garfield. She was an advocate for women's education and played an active role in her husband's political career.
Other notable individuals with the name Genessa include the British writer Genessa Fairfax (1901-1983), known for her novels and short stories, and the American actress Genessa Pugh (1924-2007), who had a successful career on stage, television, and in film.
While the name Genessa is not as common today as it once was, its rich history and connections to ancient mythology and cultural traditions make it a unique and meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with a strong sense of heritage.
People
Genessa + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Genessa as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with G
Other first names starting with G with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Genessa: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Genessa?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 456 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Genessa going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 751,654 US residents.
Is Genessa a common name?
We classify Genessa as "Very Rare". It ranks above 83.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 470 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Genessa most popular?
The single biggest year for Genessa was 2014, when 18 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Genessa is about 26 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Genessa a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Genessa in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.