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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

How bad is the name Eugene?

109 replies

chinyu · 08/10/2026 10:29

Pregnant with my second, first boy. My daughter also has a traditionally “old lady” name. Husband and I have fought for months over boy names and this one is in our top three.

I know people find it nerdy but I find it cute. Just how bad is it? I can take it. 😆😩 I fear I’m not going to be able to name this kid until he’s earthside.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

TheRealSmurfette · 11/10/2026 16:09

I heard an alternative in the same vein for you op… how about Elwood? (Nn Woody)?

LivingTheDreamish · 10/10/2026 03:38

It will be marmite but it's a proper name, Gene is sweet, I quite like it.

Gwenhwyfar · 09/10/2026 18:11

Please don't.

Calliopespa · 09/10/2026 18:09

ginasevern · 09/10/2026 11:34

Trust me, they really were rugged and handsome. One was actually an international hammer thrower.

Show quote history

Well you don't get much more rugged that that!

Kevinbaconsrealwife · 09/10/2026 17:07

dnadiscoveryquery · 08/10/2026 10:40

I’m GenX so it just reminds me of Eugene from Grease (who was solidy picked on for being a geek)

Oh god me too….” Hey euuuuuuggggeeeennneee” x

HugoThatway · 09/10/2026 16:47

FKAT · 08/10/2026 15:45

I have a Gene who is handsome, cool and has lots of friends. I wouldn't have called him Eugene.

Has racist connotations... much loved in the early part of the 20th century for the 'eugenics' / 'master race' vibe

Absolute hogwash. For a start, most famous 20th century Eu/Genes are Jewish (Gene Simmons, son of a Holocaust survivor springs to mind, as does Eugene Levy and Gene Wilder.)

Edited

Gene Simmonds and Gene Wilder are not their birth names.
Gene Kelly wasn't Jewish but Gene Hackman might have been.

AFigureWalks · 09/10/2026 13:33

Daffodilsinthespring · 08/10/2026 20:12

Well it’s a thousand times better than Archie, Teddy, Alfie, Freddie etc.

I opened the thread not particularly liking the name, but you are right.
Definitely preferable to the “ie/y” names.

ginasevern · 09/10/2026 11:34

Calliopespa · 08/10/2026 22:46

Totally can't envisage rugged and handsome. To me it's the ultimate nerd name: Eugene/You Gen(ius).

That shouldn't ruin it, but somehow the sound is also like a squeaky fart.

I don't know why I dislike the sound so much as I love Eugenie.

Show quote history

Trust me, they really were rugged and handsome. One was actually an international hammer thrower.

heedmywords · 09/10/2026 08:40

fudgecat · 08/10/2026 11:09

Am I the only person who immediately thought of Eugene Tooms?

glad it’s not just me!

TheRealSmurfette · 09/10/2026 08:37

ChannelLightVessel · 09/10/2026 08:35

Cat2 is called Eugene (he came from the RSPCA with the name). We prefer to pronounce it the French way, with a soft g. Also known as Oozhee. I prefer Gene for a human (Gene Kelly) if I’m honest.

stample · 09/10/2026 08:03

It feels like a nerdy name however have only known 2 in my lifetime, a 2 year old is is prob in his 20s now. And another in his early 40s but suits his name as he is quite quirky, indie, grungy if you get my drift

Sparklinggreen · 09/10/2026 08:00

Not a fan of the name, but if you already have doubts about how bad it might be, then maybe take off your top 3?

LoserWinner · 09/10/2026 02:06

I had an uncle Eugene. He was generally called Euie (pronounced yoo-ee)?

user1492757084 · 09/10/2026 01:08

Hugh is handsome

MrsKateColumbo · 08/10/2026 23:33

fudgecat · 08/10/2026 11:09

Am I the only person who immediately thought of Eugene Tooms?

Haha not at all!
I dont like the "Ugeen" pronunciation but I like the more European ::'"eu- zhen"

EveryoneUsingOutro · 08/10/2026 23:30

God no. Makes me think of Redneck Americans “git the shotgun Eugene, we got us some hunting to do”

Awful. Especially if you’re in the UK. Just no.

Aligirlbear · 08/10/2026 23:25

I know a Eugene but he has never used the name always been known by his middle name ( his parents decided to use the middle name and it stuck ) He dislikes Eugene intensely and hates it when it occasionally gets used in error I.e. at the GP surgery or a letter from a central mail out is addressed to Eugene.

Wimaway · 08/10/2026 23:21

It's quite fashionable

Lacey247 · 08/10/2026 23:18

I'm personally not keen, but saying that, I'm 34 years old and went to high school with a Eugene, he was very popular and nothing was ever said about his name. Noone seemed to think it was unusual. He was nicknamed Genie

fluffydoglove · 08/10/2026 23:14

My late grandads name and my cousins .. I like it but when my mum suggested calling my ds Eugene I wasn’t brave enough

Wateredandfed · 08/10/2026 23:14

It's awful, dowdy and creepy. Sorry!

Moveoverdarlin · 08/10/2026 23:12

I think of the Grease character, who was a bit of a loser, but I also think of Princess Eugenie, also not top of the popularity polls.

Whoops75 · 08/10/2026 23:11

Awful, hard no!

roshi42 · 08/10/2026 23:09

Quite like it, though I take on board people’s point about it working on someone quite cool more than someone a bit socially challenged!

Genie is a super cute nickname when very little.

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