Jennifer
Jennifer: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈd͡ʒɛnɪfɚ/ · /ˈd͡ʒɛnɪfə/
Meaning and origin of Jennifer
- A female given name from Cornish.
Etymology
From Cornish Gweniver, from Middle Cornish Gwynnever (cognate with Welsh Gwenhwyfar), from Proto-Brythonic *Gwɨnnohuɨβar. Doublet of Guinevere. Compare Irish Fionnabhair, which may be cognate. The /d͡ʒ/ consonantism is due to Anglo-Norman influence; compare Old French Genievre /d͡ʒəˈniɛ̯vɾə/, /d͡ʒəˈnjɛvɾə/.
How popular is Jennifer?
Since 1880, 1,471,703 girls and 4,837 boys in the U.S. have been named Jennifer (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1 in 1970. Its highest rank for boys was #530 in 1973. In 2025 it ranked #586 for girls, with 501 babies given the name.
Names similar to Jennifer
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Cornish girl names
Jennifer FAQ
What does the name Jennifer mean?
A female given name from Cornish. From Cornish Gweniver, from Middle Cornish Gwynnever (cognate with Welsh Gwenhwyfar), from Proto-Brythonic *Gwɨnnohuɨβar. Doublet of Guinevere. Compare Irish Fionnabhair, which may be cognate. The /d͡ʒ/ consonantism is due to Anglo-Norman influence; compare Old French Genievre /d͡ʒəˈniɛ̯vɾə/, /d͡ʒəˈnjɛvɾə/.
What is the origin of the name Jennifer?
Jennifer is listed as a name of Cornish origin.
How popular is the name Jennifer?
Since 1880, 1,471,703 girls and 4,837 boys in the U.S. have been named Jennifer (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1 in 1970. Its highest rank for boys was #530 in 1973. In 2025 it ranked #586 for girls, with 501 babies given the name.
Is Jennifer a boy or girl name?
Jennifer is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 1,471,703 girls and 4,837 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.