Genetha
A feminine name likely of Greek origin representing life or creation.
Name Census estimates that about 25 living Americans carry the first name Genetha. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Genetha today is around 70 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Genetha births was 1957 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Genetha. 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.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Genetha is about 70 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Genethas were born before 1966.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Genetha. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
25
~ 1 in 13,710,174 Americans
Peak year
1957
6 babies that year
Average age
70
years old
1971 SSA rank
#7,688
Tracked since 1920
Popularity
Genetha: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Genetha from the 1920s through to the 1970s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1950s, with 22 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1950s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Genetha 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 Genetha during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Genetha
The name Genetha has its origins in the Greek language, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is believed to be derived from the Greek word "gennetos," which means "born" or "created." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with concepts of birth, life, and creation.
One of the earliest recorded appearances of the name Genetha can be traced back to the 5th century BCE, when it was mentioned in a collection of ancient Greek texts. These texts referred to a woman named Genetha, who was said to be a respected midwife and healer in the city of Athens.
During the Byzantine era, the name Genetha gained some popularity among Greek Orthodox Christians. It was often given to girls as a way to honor the Virgin Mary's role in the birth of Jesus Christ. The name was seen as a symbol of new life and the miracle of creation.
In the 9th century CE, a Genetha was mentioned in the writings of a renowned Byzantine historian. This Genetha was a noblewoman known for her charitable works and her support of the arts and literature.
Moving forward to the 12th century, there was a famous Byzantine scholar and philosopher named Genetha of Constantinople. She was renowned for her knowledge of classical Greek literature and her contributions to the study of ancient texts.
Another notable figure bearing the name Genetha was a 16th-century Italian painter from Venice. Genetha Veneziano was celebrated for her vibrant and expressive portraits, which captured the essence of the Renaissance era.
Throughout history, the name Genetha has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, and noble figures. While its usage may have waxed and waned over the centuries, the name's association with birth, creation, and new beginnings has remained a constant thread throughout its rich and storied past.
People
Genetha + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Genetha 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
Genetha: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Genetha?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 25 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Genetha 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 13,710,174 US residents.
Is Genetha a common name?
We classify Genetha as "Very Rare". It ranks above 43.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 53 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Genetha most popular?
The single biggest year for Genetha was 1957, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Genetha is about 70 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Genetha a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Genetha 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.