Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Genesis

Genesis is the name of the first book of the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible, traditionally believed to have been written by Moses). The English adopted the word from the Latin, ultimately derived from the Greek “génesis” (γένεσις) meaning “origin, creation”, from “gígnesthai” (γεννηθεί) meaning “be born”. The Greek word was chosen as a literal translation of the Hebrew Berēšīṯ (בְּרֵאשִׁית‎) meaning “in the beginning” (which are the first three words of the text, i.e., “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”) Both the Greek and Latin words can be traced to the Proto-Indo-European root *gen(e)- meaning “to produce, beget, generate” (Pok. 373). In other words, Genesis is a very old concept of creation. The Book of Genesis in the Old Testament narrates God’s Creation and the origin of His chosen people. As a female given name, Genesis is really quite modern. It is used mainly in the United States.

All About the Baby Name – Genesis

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME GENESIS

Romance is the hallmark of the Six personality. They exude nurturing, loving, and caring energy. Sixes are in love with the idea of love in its idealized form - and with their magnetic personalities, they easily draw people toward them. Like the number Two personality, they seek balance and harmony in their life and the world at large. They are conscientious and service-oriented, and a champion for the underdog. These personalities naturally attract money and are usually surrounded by lovely material objects - but their human relationships are always primary. They thrive in giving back to others rather than being motivated by their own desires. This is when they achieve great things. Sixes are natural teachers, ministers and counselors.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME GENESIS

The usage of Genesis as a female given name is really an American invention. The name didn’t appear on the U.S. popularity charts until 1988, so we’re talking about 25 years in the making. Obviously a biblically inspired name, Genesis rose to the Top 100 list in 2008. The name seems to go with other non-traditional, religious-based names such as Trinity or Neveah. Mostly popular with Christian parents, naming daughters Genesis is a new and different way of expressing a strong sense of moral values, and hoping to communicate those ideals onward. Either that, or parents really, really liked the 80’s band bearing the same name. We think Genesis would be a good choice to give to your first born, epitomizing the beginning of your own creation.

Quick Facts

ON GENESIS

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

55

PRONUNCIATION:

JEN-ә-sis

SIMPLE MEANING:

Origin, beginning

Characteristics

OF GENESIS

Humanitarian

Community-minded

Family-oriented

Loving

Affectionate

Compassionate

Sensitive

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Genesis

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME GENESIS

Cain is the original Bad Boy of the Bible, who paved the way for all of his ilk afterward. Yes, we know, his mom was the Original Sinner, but, come on, she ate an apple, he killed his brother. Balance? Anyway, the little we know of Cain: he was the first child. Ever. Now, that has to be hard. No Dr. Spock, no handbooks around, nothing to guide the first parents in the day-to-day raising of a child. What did they know from the Terrible Twos? Probably by the time Abel came along, they had a better idea of how to manage this whole new world, but apparently, just a day late and a dollar short for poor old Cain. So, the boys grow up and go into the only careers available to them just then – Cain becomes a tiller of the soil, Abel a keeper of the animals. And, as is so often the case in the Old Testament, God calls upon them for the usual sacrifice. And as is also so often the case, He is happy with one and not with the other. We’re not sure why – did Cain offer Him a shriveled ear of corn while Abel tendered a nice fat lamb? Whatever it was, God was not pleased, and let His feelings be known. We are to understand that Cain did not have the “right attitude” in proffering his sacrifice, but if you were the “test” child, and Abel was the baby, how would you feel? Exactly. So, Cain, well, let’s say he overreacts – he kills Abel out of jealousy. When God asks him where Abel is, Cain gives us one of the most quoted answers in all of history: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Not a good move. God “marks” Cain and banishes him to a land “East of Eden”. It’s apparently all downhill from there, but we still feel that even though of course Cain sinned, he needed a little leniency from the Court – it’s not as if he had the greatest role models in the world. Cain has had a bad “mark” ever since that time, but we still feel sorry for him!

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Genesis

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME GENESIS

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Genesis


Popular Songs

ON GENESIS

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Genesis


Famous People

NAMED GENESIS

We cannot find any celebrities of significantly popular people with the first name Genesis.

Children of Famous People

NAMED GENESIS

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Genesis

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME GENESIS

Dan was the fifth born son of Jacob by Rachel’s slave-girl Bilhah. After Leah bore Jacob his first four sons (Rueben, Simeon, Levi and Judah), Rachel got jealous because she was barren (this is why her handmaiden stepped in for her). When Bilhah bore Dan, Rachel said: “God has pronounced judgment in my favor, for he has heard my prayer and given me a son.” Therefore she named him Dan (Genesis 30:6). Bilhah’s second son was called Naphthali by Rachel. Not to be outdone by her sister, Leah’s servant-girl Zelpha followed with Gad and Asher. Then Leah bore two more sons, Issachar and Zabulon. The last two sons were Joseph and Benjamin (God finally made Rachel fruitful, and her two sons were Jacob’s favorites). So where exactly is Dan’s place among the Twelve. Well, we know from Jacob’s blessings upon his sons (Genesis 49) that “Dan shall achieve justice for his people” but he also refers to Dan as a “serpent” and a “viper”. The Tribe of Dan was partially located along the Mediterranean Sea north of the Philistines (they were the only Israelites referred to as “seafaring” people). In the 8th century B.C. the Tribe of Dan was “lost”, along with nine other tribes (known as the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel) after Assyria conquered the Kingdom of Israel (either they assimilated, were exiled or they themselves fled – no definitive historic record is left). Only the Tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi are said to be the ancestors of all modern Jews. Incidentally, the most well-known Danite (i.e., descendant of Dan) in the Bible was Samson.