Find out how popular the last name Genius is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Genius.

Genius, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Genius surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Genius in America

Genius is the 142108th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Genius surname appeared 117 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Genius.

The history of the last name Genius

The surname "Genius" is believed to have its origins in ancient Rome. It is derived from the Latin word "genius," which originally referred to a guardian spirit or divine being that was thought to watch over and protect individuals or places. Over time, the word "genius" came to be associated with exceptional intellectual or creative ability.

The earliest known records of the surname Genius date back to the 1st century AD, when it appeared in various Roman texts and inscriptions. It is possible that the name was initially given to individuals who were considered particularly gifted or inspired, or perhaps to those who were believed to be under the protection of a specific guardian spirit.

During the Middle Ages, the name Genius was relatively uncommon, but it did appear in some historical documents from various parts of Europe. In the 13th century, for instance, a scholar named Johannes Genius was mentioned in a manuscript from the University of Paris.

As the Renaissance period dawned, the surname Genius became more prevalent, particularly in Italy and other parts of southern Europe. One notable individual with this surname was the Italian humanist and philosopher Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494), who was widely regarded as a genius in his time and was known for his vast knowledge and intellectual prowess.

In the 17th century, the surname Genius was also found in parts of Germany and the Netherlands. One famous bearer of this name was the Dutch philosopher and mathematician Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695), who made significant contributions to the fields of optics, mechanics, and astronomy.

Other notable individuals with the surname Genius include:

1. Johann Christian Genius (1701-1768), a German composer and organist who lived in the 18th century.
2. Heinrich Genius (1766-1823), a German writer and poet who was part of the Romantic movement.
3. Marie-Eugénie Genius (1805-1885), a French feminist and writer who advocated for women's rights and education.
4. Theodor Genius (1837-1912), a German-American artist and painter known for his landscapes and portraits.
5. Anna Genius (1875-1956), an Italian mathematician and educator who made significant contributions to the field of geometry.

While the surname Genius is not extremely common, it continues to be found in various parts of Europe and among families of European descent. Its historical association with exceptional intellect and creativity has endured, making it a distinctive and intriguing surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Genius

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Genius.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Genius was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Genius was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Genius, please contact us.

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