2. Genk and its name

The name Genk is difficult to explain unambiguously and etymologically. Various people believe it is a reference to the Germanic proper name Ganna, Ganniacum (villa or house of Gan) in Latin. Through various sound developments, it evolved into Geniche, which could possibly refer to the older Celtic name Gennus, which means nobleman or lord.

The pre-German Ganiaco (Genik) is sometimes mentioned as the origin of the name of Genk. Godfried Wendelen noted in ‘Leges Salicae Illustratae’  from 1699 the Frankish writing of Chanco, which means stallion (male horse). The Celtic word ganda (grint) could possibly be the root of the Gallic Gandacom, establishment near the gravel.

The name Genk could also be explained as (Aen) Ghen Eyck , or just: the village by the oak.