Girl · 193rd of 27,321
Jenny
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
92,561
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1977
Peak Popularity Year
2,700
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jenny 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
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.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɛni/
Origin
English
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'.
Meaning
fair and smooth
Language Evolution
Gwenhwyfar, Jennifer, Jenny
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.
Variants & Derivatives
Jen, Jenna, Jennyfer
Modern Popularity & Image
Jenny is often viewed as a friendly and approachable name, commonly associated with warmth and familiarity.
Famous People
Jenny McCarthy, Jenny Agutter, Jenny Slate
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:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 2,700 peak births in 1977
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
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 21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |