Meaning, origin, history
Geneva is a unique and elegant female name of Swiss origin. It means "land by the lake" in Italian, referring to Lake Geneva, which lies between Switzerland and France. The name has been used historically as both a given name and a surname.
The city of Geneva, Switzerland is named after the river that flows through it, which was called "Genava" by the Romans. The river's name may have originated from the Celtic word "genuo," meaning "bend" or "knee," possibly referring to a bend in the river's course.
While not particularly popular today, Geneva has been used as a given name throughout history. It gained some popularity during the Victorian era in England and was also used by American author Louisa May Alcott for one of her characters in Little Women.
Overall, Geneva is an uncommon yet beautiful name with a rich historical background and a unique connection to a famous city and lake.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Geneva since 1880
Total births
88,499
Total since 1880
Peak year
1924
2,582 births
in 2023
139
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-1%
→
vs previous 5 years