The name Genet, pronounced /ʒə'nɛt/, is of French origin and means 'juniper bush'. It is a unisex name, though it's more commonly used for females in France. The name gained prominence through Jean Genet, a renowned French playwright, novelist, poet, and essayist, known for his controversial works that explored themes of sexuality, crime, and class struggle.
The name Genet experienced fluctuating popularity with peaks in the early 20th century and late 20th century, but remained relatively uncommon throughout most years.