Genet or Genêt is a French surname. Notable people with this surname include the following:Alexis Genet, French footballer Edmond Genet (1896–1917), American aviator Edmond-Charles Genêt or Citizen Genêt (1763–1834) French envoy to the United States appointed by the Girondins during the French Revolution Guy Genet, French footballer Henry W. Genet (1828–1889), New York politician Jean Genet (1910–1986), French writer Jean-Philippe Genet, French historian Joseph Genet (1914–1999), New Zealand wrestler Michael Genet, American actor and screenwriter Ray Genet or Pirate (1931–1979), Alaskan mountaineer Russell Merle Genet, American astronomer