Girl · 76th of 35,406
Jenna
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
148,419
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1985
Peak Popularity Year
6,454
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jenna stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Jenna is an English name derived from the Cornish name Gwenhwyfar, meaning 'fairness' or 'white enchantress.' It evolved from Jennifer and gained popularity in the late 20th century. The name is associated with traits of youthfulness and femininity and has no biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɛnə/
Origin
English
Etymology
The name Jenna is often considered a derivative of the name Jennifer, which itself comes from the Cornish name Gwenhwyfar, meaning 'white phantom' or 'white enchantress.' It was popularized in the 20th century and has various interpretations.
Meaning
fairness, white, or soft
Language Evolution
Gwenhwyfar, Jennifer, Jenna
Historical Usage
Jenna became popular in the United States in the late 20th century, particularly after the 1980s, partly due to its use in popular culture.
Variants & Derivatives
Jen, Jenny, Jenni
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Jenna is viewed as a modern and approachable name. It is often associated with youthfulness and femininity.
Famous People
Jenna Fischer - American actress known for her role in 'The Office', Jenna Dewan - American actress and dancer, Jenna Ortega - American actress known for her roles in various television series and films
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,454 peak births in 1985
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Minnesota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 12 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4426th of 16616 | 173 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 10143rd of 24088 | 83 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4339th of 9107 | 77 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2335th of 9204 | 247 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1873rd of 12526 | 617 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 533rd of 19264 | 5,653 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 74th of 27321 | 67,048 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 76th of 35406 | 65,219 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 408th of 30306 | 9,302 |