Genner
A masculine name derived from the Old English word "gener" meaning "bold" or "brave".
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Genner. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Genner today is around 27 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Genner births was 1999 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Genner. 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
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Genner. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
1999
5 babies that year
Average age
27
years old
1999 SSA rank
#10,474
Tracked since 1999
Popularity
Genner: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Genner 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 Genner during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Genner
The name Genner is believed to have originated from the German language and culture, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is likely derived from the Old German word "günnar," which means "warrior" or "fighter." This suggests that the name was initially given to individuals who exhibited courage and strength on the battlefield or in combat situations.
During the medieval period, the name Genner was predominantly found in regions of present-day Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It was a common name among the nobility and warrior classes, reflecting the valor and bravery associated with its meaning.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Genner can be found in the "Nibelungenlied," an epic German poem from around the 13th century. In this literary work, a character named Gunner is depicted as a fierce and formidable warrior, alluding to the name's connotations of strength and valor.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Genner. One such figure was Genner von Regensburg (1150-1220), a German knight and crusader who participated in the Third Crusade. He was renowned for his bravery and military prowess, living up to the warrior spirit embodied by his name.
Another significant bearer of the name was Genner von Köln (1280-1342), a German theologian and philosopher who made significant contributions to the intellectual discourse of his time. His writings explored various aspects of medieval scholasticism and the reconciliation of faith and reason.
In the realm of literature, Genner Grimmelshausen (1625-1676) was a German novelist and poet best known for his satirical novel "Der abenteuerliche Simplicissimus," which provided a vivid portrayal of the Thirty Years' War. His work is considered a classic of German literature and a significant contribution to the picaresque genre.
During the Renaissance period, Genner von Augsburg (1470-1530) was a renowned German painter and printmaker. He was a master of the woodcut technique and created numerous religious and allegorical works that adorned churches and public buildings throughout Germany.
In more recent times, Genner Isegrim (1876-1954) was a German writer and poet who gained recognition for his lyrical works that celebrated nature and the rural landscapes of his homeland. His poetry captured the essence of the German countryside and its traditions, resonating with readers across generations.
While these are just a few examples, the name Genner has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout history, each contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage and human achievement.
People
Genner + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Genner 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
Genner: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Genner?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Genner 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 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Genner a common name?
We classify Genner as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Genner most popular?
The single biggest year for Genner was 1999, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Genner is about 27 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Genner in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Genner a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Genner in the SSA data are male. 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.
Is Genner still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Genner in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Genner can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Genner?
Our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers how many people share the name Genner at a glance, with the living-bearer count up front.