The nameEugene

Eugene means "well born". It was a top 20 American name in the 1920s.

Boy's name
Greek
Feast day

Meaning

Eugene comes from the Greek eugenes, "well born, noble".

Origin

Greek.

History

Several popes and saints bore the name. In the United States Eugene reached 20th place in 1927.

Did you know?

Eugene O'Neill won four Pulitzer Prizes and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1936.

Famous people named Eugene

Eugene O'Neill, playwright
Prince Eugene of Savoy
Eugene Levy, actor

Popularity of the name Eugene

Eugene in the United States

868thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024

1927peak year (9,827 births)

383,085babies named Eugene in the United States since 1880

Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Eugene was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 85,390 births over the decade, 22% of all recorded babies named Eugene. Its rise began around 1911, and it peaked in 1927. Half of all babies named Eugene in the United States were born before 1937, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 265 births a year.

Eugene in the United Kingdom

3231stmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025

2003peak year (34 births)

578babies named Eugene in the United Kingdom since 1997

Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Eugene was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 227 births over the decade, 39% of all recorded babies named Eugene. Half of all babies named Eugene in the United Kingdom were born before 2008, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers.

Eugene in Ireland

1965peak year (135 births)

2,416babies named Eugene in Ireland since 1964

Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Eugene in France

476thmost popular boys' name in France, latest official figures

1908peak year (3,625 births)

106,810babies named Eugene in France since 1900

Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Sibling names for Eugene

Names from the same generation as Eugene, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Eugene? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Eugene in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Eugene mean?

Eugene comes from the Greek eugenes, "well born, noble".

What is the origin of the name Eugene?

Greek.

Is Eugene a girl's or a boy's name?

Eugene is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Eugene?

In 2024, Eugene was the 868th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 276 births.

What are good sibling names for Eugene?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Barbara, Rita, Corinne and Irene for a sister, Philip, Dorian, Stephan and Dimitri for a brother.

Who are famous people named Eugene?

Eugene O'Neill, playwright; Prince Eugene of Savoy; Eugene Levy, actor.