Eugen, of German origin, is a classic name that carries a rich historical legacy. It means 'well-born' or 'noble', derived from the Latin word 'eugenes'. Popularized by notable figures such as Eugen Sandow, often considered the father of modern bodybuilding, and Eugen Herrigel, a German philosopher known for his work on Zen Buddhism, this name has been embraced by various cultures worldwide. Spelling variations include Eugene and Eugenio.
The name Eugen appears to have experienced periods of popularity followed by decline in the late 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries. The highest numbers of births occurred between 1920-1930, with a peak of 14 births in 1930. However, after this period, there was a significant decrease in popularity, with most years recording fewer than 10 births each year until the late 1950s when it began to slightly regain traction again. Interestingly, despite Eugen's waning popularity over time, it managed to maintain some consistency with at least five births recorded every decade from the 1980s onwards, with a total of 226 births recorded over this entire period.