Jenny
Jenny: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /หdอกสษni/
Meaning and origin of Jenny
- A female given name.
Etymology
From Jen + -y, historically as a hypochoristic form of Janet, Jane, etc. but now more often used as a diminutive of Jennifer. Rarely also a nickname of Genevieve (compare Genny, pronounced the same), Eugenia or Virginia (compare Ginny). Doublet of Ivanka, Jan, Janelle, Janet, Janey, Janine, Jeanette, Jeanie, Jeannette, Jeannine, Jen, Jenna, Jessie, Jo, Jody, Juanita, Shanae, Sinead, and Vanna in derivations from Jane etc. In senses related to inanimate objects, partially derived from the generic senses of Jane and partially an informal pronunciation of engine.
How popular is Jenny?
Since 1880, 92,101 girls and 605 boys in the U.S. have been named Jenny (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #108 in 1977. Its highest rank for boys was #1800 in 1943. In 2025, 142 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Jenny
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Jenny
Names that peaked around the same time as Jenny and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Jenny FAQ
What does the name Jenny mean?
A female given name. From Jen + -y, historically as a hypochoristic form of Janet, Jane, etc. but now more often used as a diminutive of Jennifer. Rarely also a nickname of Genevieve (compare Genny, pronounced the same), Eugenia or Virginia (compare Ginny). Doublet of Ivanka, Jan, Janelle, Janet, Janey, Janine, Jeanette, Jeanie, Jeannette, Jeannine, Jen, Jenna, Jessie, Jo, Jody, Juanita, Shanae, Sinead, and Vanna in derivations from Jane etc. In senses related to inanimate objects, partially derived from the generic senses of Jane and partially an informal pronunciation of engine.
How popular is the name Jenny?
Since 1880, 92,101 girls and 605 boys in the U.S. have been named Jenny (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #108 in 1977. Its highest rank for boys was #1800 in 1943. In 2025, 142 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Jenny a boy or girl name?
Jenny is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 92,101 girls and 605 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880โ2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.