Gennie is a unique and lesser-known given name of English origin. Its meaning and history are not as widely documented as many other names, but there are a few theories about its origins.
One theory suggests that Gennie is a variant spelling of the name Jane, which is of English origin and means "graced by God." This theory is supported by the fact that Gennie has sometimes been used as a diminutive form of Jane. However, Gennie does not appear to be particularly popular or common in comparison to other forms of Jane such as Jenny, Janie, or Gina.
Another theory proposes that Gennie may be derived from the Scottish surname Genni or Genee, which is believed to have originated from a personal name derived from the Gaelic word "genn" meaning "wild." However, this connection is not widely recognized and remains unconfirmed.
Despite its unclear origins, Gennie has been used as a given name for girls in English-speaking countries. It gained some popularity during the mid-20th century but has since become quite rare. Today, it is most often encountered as an uncommon middle name or as a surname.
Overall, while the exact origin and meaning of Gennie remain uncertain, its unique sound and rarity make it an intriguing and distinctive name choice for those looking for something different.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Gennie has seen a fluctuating popularity over the years in the United States. From 1884 to 1939, there were consistently more than ten births per year with this name, peaking at 50 births in 1928.
However, starting from 1940, the number of births with the name Gennie began to decline significantly. There was a noticeable drop from 44 births in 1941 to just 25 in 1943, marking a significant shift in its popularity.
From 1944 onwards, the number of annual births with the name Gennie remained under 40 until it dropped below ten in 1978. This downward trend continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with fewer than ten births per year reported between 1986 and 1992.
In the 21st century, the name Gennie has seen a further decrease in popularity, with only five births recorded in 2002. Overall, from 1884 to 2002, there were a total of 2541 births in the United States with this name.
These statistics demonstrate that while the name Gennie was once quite popular in the United States during the late 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries, its popularity has declined significantly over time.