Girl · 1st of 19,264
Jennifer
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
1,476,028
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1972
Peak Popularity Year
63,792
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jennifer 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
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.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɛnɪfər/
Origin
Cornish
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'.
Meaning
white phantom, fair one
Language Evolution
Gwenhwyfar, Guinevere, Jennifer
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.
Variants & Derivatives
Jenny, Jen, Jenna
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.
Famous People
Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Lawrence
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
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 63,792 peak births in 1972
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Hampshire
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 25 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 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |