The name General is derived from the Latin word generalis, meaning of high rank or general officer. The name General has been used as a given name since the 18th century, particularly in the United States. General is a unisex name, although it is more commonly associated with males. General has been used as a nickname for people with the surname Generalis, which is derived from the Latin word generalis. General is also a title used to address high-ranking military officers, such as a general or a generalissimo. In some countries, General is used as a title for high-ranking government officials, such as the General Secretary of a political party or the General Prosecutor of a country. General is also used as a name for animals, such as a general parrot or a general dog. General has been used as a brand name for various products, such as General Motors, General Electric, and General Mills. General has been used as a name for fictional characters, such as General Grievous from the Star Wars franchise and General Zod from the DC Comics universe. General has been used as a name for ships, such as the USS General, a US Navy transport ship that served during World War II.

The root form of General is General — meaning Commander, leader..

General remains a beloved choice, ranking #16 in the US. Timeless appeal across cultures and generations.