What Does the Name Eugene Mean?
Eugene is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning “well-born, noble.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Eugene |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Greek |
| Meaning | well-born, noble |
| Variants | Gene, Eugène, Eugenio, Yevgeny |
| Popularity | A top-100 name in the United States through much of the early-to-mid 20th century; now uncommon. |
The meaning and origin of Eugene
The name Eugene means “well-born, noble” and has Greek origins. The English form of the Greek name Eugenios, from 'eugenes' meaning well-born or noble. It was borne by several early saints and popes, spreading its use across Europe.
Variants and related names
Eugene is related to several other names you may recognize: Gene, Eugène, Eugenio, Yevgeny. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Eugene?
A top-100 name in the United States through much of the early-to-mid 20th century; now uncommon.
Popularity matters when you need believable test data: a name that fits the era or region you are modeling makes a generated profile look real. You can generate a complete fictional profile using the name Eugene below.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Eugene mean?+
The name Eugene means “well-born, noble” and is of Greek origin.
What is the origin of the name Eugene?+
Eugene originates from Greek.
Is Eugene a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Eugene has trended in the US over time.
Eugene by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press