Skip to content
boyandgirlnames
0 saved

Genoveva

Girl name · Mexican

Meaningpossibly white wave · Celtic

Genoveva is a Mexican girl name thought to mean “white wave”, with Celtic roots. Celtic names carry the history of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Brittany. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, and it pairs well with a short middle name.

Did you know?

  • Hidden namesLook closely: Genoveva has the name Eva hiding inside it.
  • Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Genoveva would score 15 points, thanks largely to the V (worth 4).
  • GenerationGenoveva peaked in 1894, which makes it a Victorian-era favorite, the kind of name you'd find on a great-great-grandparent.
  • Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Genoveva would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 227,273 baby girls got the name in 2025.
  • HistoryGenoveva first shows up in US birth records in 1885, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 140 years since.
Baby smiling up at the camera
hello, little Genoveva

US births per million girls, 1885–2025

0306018851920196020002025

Similar names

Unisex name: GenesisGirl name: EvaGirl name: GenevieveGirl name: MaevaGirl name: GenevaGirl name: Reva
Blend Genoveva with another name

Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.

Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).

About the name Genoveva

Genoveva is a girl name of Mexican origin meaning “possibly white wave”. With 4 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, and plenty of room for a nickname, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It was most fashionable in the 1890s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.

Origin:Mexican names

More Mexican girl names

Questions about the name Genoveva

What does the name Genoveva mean?

Genoveva means “possibly white wave” and comes from Celtic. Name experts don't fully agree on its roots, so this is the most likely meaning rather than a certainty. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Gwendolyn (“white ring”), Fiona (“white, fair”), Bianca (“white”) and Finnegan (“fair, white”).

What is the origin of the name Genoveva?

Genoveva is Mexican in origin, and its meaning traces back to Celtic. Other Mexican names to consider are Olivia (“olive tree”), Emma (“whole, universal”), Amelia (“work, industrious”) and Mia (“possibly beloved”).

Is Genoveva a boy or girl name?

Genoveva is a girl name. In 2025, 7 US girls were named Genoveva.

How popular is the name Genoveva?

Genoveva ranked #11,932 for US girls in 2025, given to 7 babies. Its best year was 1894, when it reached #850. Over the last five years it has slipped 3,526 places.

What names are similar to Genoveva?

If you like Genoveva, you might also like Gwendolyn, Fiona, Bianca and Finnegan.

What should I know before naming my baby Genoveva?

Genoveva is a Mexican girl name thought to mean “white wave”, with Celtic roots. Celtic names carry the history of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Brittany. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.