Jennifer Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis

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Summary

Jennifer is of Cornish origin, meaning 'white phantom' or 'fair one'. It evolved from the name Gwenhwyfar and has seen significant popularity since the 20th century. The name is often associated with friendly and approachable traits and has no biblical relevance.

The name Jennifer is most popular in New Hampshire, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. From 2020-2022, Jennifer has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, too rising for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too rising for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too rising for female in South, stalled for male in West, too rising for female in West. Across generations, 'Jennifer' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2412th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 663rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 923rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4603rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 18910th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4543rd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 561st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 83rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1st out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 35th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 330th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Jennifer' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.

Etymology & Cultural Background of "Jennifer"

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Pronunciation

/ˈdʒɛnɪfər/

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Origin

Cornish

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Etymology

The name Jennifer is derived from the Cornish name 'Gwenhwyfar', which means 'white phantom' or 'white enchantress'. It is a combination of the elements 'gwen' meaning 'white, fair, blessed' and 'hwyfar' meaning 'phantom, spirit'.

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Meaning

white phantom, fair one

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Language Evolution

Gwenhwyfar, Guinevere, Jennifer

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Historical Usage

The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, particularly after the publication of the 1904 play 'The Princess and the Goblin' by George MacDonald, where the character named Jennifer appeared. It became especially popular in the United States after the 1960s.

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Variants & Derivatives

Jenny, Jen, Jenna

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Modern Popularity & Image

Jennifer is perceived as a classic and timeless name that has a friendly and approachable image. It was extremely popular in the late 20th century but has seen a decline in usage in recent years.

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Famous People

Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Lawrence

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Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Jennifer"

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 of "Jennifer"

"Jennifer" Popularity Across American Generations

Generation Gender Rank Total Names
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) Boy 2412th of 7552 217
Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) Boy 663rd of 10718 2,448
Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) Boy 923rd of 16616 1,867
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) Boy 4603rd of 24088 293
Generation Alpha (2013-2024) Boy 18910th of 23106 12
G.I. Generation (1901-1927) Girl 4543rd of 9107 68
Silent Generation (1928-1945) Girl 561st of 9204 2,834
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) Girl 83rd of 12526 103,517
Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) Girl 1st of 19264 752,325
Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) Girl 3rd of 27321 497,427
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) Girl 35th of 35406 103,482
Generation Alpha (2013-2024) Girl 330th of 30306 11,538

Regional Popularity of "Jennifer" by Generation for Male Names

TOP(%) MidWest Northeast South West
G.I. Generation
(1901-1927)
- - - -
Silent Generation
(1928-1945)
- - - -
Baby Boomers
(1946-1964)
58.24%
1297th/2227
67.94%
1651st/2430
- 50.92%
1413th/2775
Generation X (Gen X)
(1965-1980)
20.26%
595th/2937
15.36%
535th/3483
22.65%
797th/3518
17.71%
716th/4044
Millennials (Gen Y)
(1981-1996)
27.76%
1023rd/3685
19.49%
872nd/4475
18.48%
960th/5194
13.01%
822nd/6317
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers)
(1997-2012)
- - 49.49%
3619th/7313
34.17%
2550th/7463
Generation Alpha
(2013-2024)
- - - -

Regional Popularity of "Jennifer" by Generation for Female Names

TOP(%) MidWest Northeast South West
G.I. Generation
(1901-1927)
- - - -
Silent Generation
(1928-1945)
29.37%
454th/1546
28.86%
449th/1556
28.90%
680th/2353
24.95%
386th/1547
Baby Boomers
(1946-1964)
3.32%
74th/2227
4.07%
99th/2430
2.98%
85th/2853
2.20%
61st/2775
Generation X (Gen X)
(1965-1980)
0.03%
1st/2937
0.03%
1st/3483
0.03%
1st/3518
0.02%
1st/4044
Millennials (Gen Y)
(1981-1996)
0.11%
4th/3685
0.04%
2nd/4475
0.08%
4th/5194
0.03%
2nd/6317
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers)
(1997-2012)
1.55%
71st/4582
0.87%
45th/5164
0.52%
38th/7313
0.24%
18th/7463
Generation Alpha
(2013-2024)
11.14%
444th/3984
7.71%
346th/4487
4.84%
330th/6822
4.32%
271st/6276

State-by-State Popularity of "Jennifer"

This map shows the relative popularity of "Jennifer" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.