Jenny Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis

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Summary

Jenny is an English name derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, meaning fair and smooth. It evolved from Gwenhwyfar to Jennifer and then to Jenny. The name carries traits of friendliness and approachability, with no biblical significance. It gained popularity in the 18th century and remains well-liked today.

The name Jenny is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the West 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 relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Jenny has been too falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Jenny' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6451st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2737th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3002nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3206th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4984th out of 16616 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 564th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 478th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 293rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 161st out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 193rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 476th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1131st out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Jenny' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.

Etymology & Cultural Background of "Jenny"

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Pronunciation

/ˈdʒɛni/

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Origin

English

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Etymology

Jenny is often considered a diminutive form of the name Jennifer, which itself originates from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar. The name Gwenhwyfar is composed of the elements 'gwen' meaning 'fair' or 'white' and 'hwyfar' meaning 'smooth' or 'soft'.

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Meaning

fair and smooth

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Language Evolution

Gwenhwyfar, Jennifer, Jenny

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Historical Usage

Jenny gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 18th century as a diminutive of Jennifer. It became widely used as an independent name in the 20th century.

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Variants & Derivatives

Jen, Jenna, Jennyfer

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Modern Popularity & Image

Jenny is often viewed as a friendly and approachable name, commonly associated with warmth and familiarity.

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Famous People

Jenny McCarthy, Jenny Agutter, Jenny Slate

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Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Jenny"

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 "Jenny"

"Jenny" Popularity Across American Generations

Generation Gender Rank Total Names
G.I. Generation (1901-1927) Boy 6451st of 7545 11
Silent Generation (1928-1945) Boy 2737th of 6773 142
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) Boy 3002nd of 7552 144
Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) Boy 3206th of 10718 163
Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) Boy 4984th of 16616 145
G.I. Generation (1901-1927) Girl 564th of 9107 2,821
Silent Generation (1928-1945) Girl 478th of 9204 3,974
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) Girl 293rd of 12526 17,076
Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) Girl 161st of 19264 30,056
Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) Girl 193rd of 27321 24,806
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) Girl 476th of 35406 10,116
Generation Alpha (2013-2024) Girl 1131st of 30306 2,664

Regional Popularity of "Jenny" by Generation for Male Names

TOP(%) MidWest Northeast South West
G.I. Generation
(1901-1927)
- - - -
Silent Generation
(1928-1945)
- - - -
Baby Boomers
(1946-1964)
- - - -
Generation X (Gen X)
(1965-1980)
- - - 55.96%
2263rd/4044
Millennials (Gen Y)
(1981-1996)
- 59.17%
2648th/4475
- 63.94%
4039th/6317
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers)
(1997-2012)
- - - -
Generation Alpha
(2013-2024)
- - - -

Regional Popularity of "Jenny" by Generation for Female Names

TOP(%) MidWest Northeast South West
G.I. Generation
(1901-1927)
36.72%
520th/1416
23.13%
319th/1379
42.94%
1016th/2366
45.62%
521st/1142
Silent Generation
(1928-1945)
28.78%
445th/1546
28.21%
439th/1556
20.02%
471st/2353
23.46%
363rd/1547
Baby Boomers
(1946-1964)
11.36%
253rd/2227
14.32%
348th/2430
10.06%
287th/2853
9.15%
254th/2775
Generation X (Gen X)
(1965-1980)
4.87%
143rd/2937
5.60%
195th/3483
5.37%
189th/3518
3.24%
131st/4044
Millennials (Gen Y)
(1981-1996)
6.11%
225th/3685
3.96%
177th/4475
3.79%
197th/5194
2.36%
149th/6317
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers)
(1997-2012)
15.19%
696th/4582
7.34%
379th/5164
7.55%
552nd/7313
5.11%
381st/7463
Generation Alpha
(2013-2024)
42.75%
1703rd/3984
24.09%
1081st/4487
17.56%
1198th/6822
14.74%
925th/6276

State-by-State Popularity of "Jenny"

This map shows the relative popularity of "Jenny" 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.