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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.

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Seaside3 · 08/10/2026 10:31

I like it. But then I like Eugene levy.

Abouteffingtime · 08/10/2026 10:31

I know an adult Eugene who has been known by his middle name since he was about 9, he hates it so much. Sorry!

UnpopularOpinionsIWouldUsuallyKeepToMyself · 08/10/2026 10:31

No, nothing wrong with that! It’s not ‘old man’ is it? I don’t really recall hearing that in my childhood unlike names like Ernest and Leonard (which I also like). Also, Gene is a nice diminutive. Love it 😊

HedgerowD · 08/10/2026 10:32

I really like it. It's cute but not babyish.

Comeondoreen · 08/10/2026 10:32

I love it!

CurlewKate · 08/10/2026 10:34

I’m a great believer in not choosing names that will make children’s names any more difficult than necessary. And if you need to ask random strangers you have doubts.

Cardhey · 08/10/2026 10:34

Yabvvvvu

MyGirlJ · 08/10/2026 10:35

I know a Eugene who's in his late 20s. He's a cool guy, successful at what he does, and he's really nice. I wasn't keen on the name Eugene, but he changed my mind and I now like the name. Funny how that can happen.

CitizenZ · 08/10/2026 10:35

Horrendous!

Gengha · 08/10/2026 10:39

I think Gene is not too bad but Eugene is terrible

Namiemcnameface · 08/10/2026 10:39

It's not for me. But then I think once it's someone's name your opinion changes. For example we have a Bruce and Marge at school 😆 not names I'd have bequeathed my children but once you know them it's just their name!

Isn't Eugene the real name of the guy from Tangled? But he didn't like it so went by Flynn....

Autumnalhibernationisthedream · 08/10/2026 10:40

One of the nicest people I’ve ever met is called Eugene and my son has a lovely Eugene in his class. I love it!

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)

IsThePopeCatholic · 08/10/2026 10:41

Like it.

IzzyLeng · 08/10/2026 10:42

MyGirlJ · 08/10/2026 10:35

I know a Eugene who's in his late 20s. He's a cool guy, successful at what he does, and he's really nice. I wasn't keen on the name Eugene, but he changed my mind and I now like the name. Funny how that can happen.

I think this is the issue though. A cool, successful guy can carry it off. Someone who’s a bit average, a bit geeky, not overly popular are not going to carry it off as easily. In school there’s a chance such a name makes him a target.

catdistributionsystem · 08/10/2026 10:42

I like the actual name, but I worked with an utterly horrible Eugene so it’s forever tainted for me Grin

purplecorkheart · 08/10/2026 10:46

I know a few mainly older men. Most of them go by Gene and the other one by their middle name. None of them use Eugene.

AllPlayedOut · 08/10/2026 10:49

It’s an incredibly ugly name.

CaptainMyCaptain · 08/10/2026 10:51

I like it.

Raiderofthelostbattenburg · 08/10/2026 10:59

I actually really love it! In a quirky geek chic way. But it’ll definitely be divisive!

DramaAlpaca · 08/10/2026 11:04

It's awful

DancingInTheMoonlights · 08/10/2026 11:05

It does make me think of Eugene in Grease but younger people might not have that connection?

ZeStreoving · 08/10/2026 11:06

Its terrible.

Leonoraeyre · 08/10/2026 11:07

It' awful.

fudgecat · 08/10/2026 11:09

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

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