The nameJennifer
Jennifer is a girl's name of Cornish origin, a form of Guinevere meaning "white, fair". It was the top girls' name in the United States from 1970 to 1984.
- Girl's name
- Cornish
Meaning
Jennifer is the Cornish form of Guinevere, from the Welsh Gwenhwyfar, made of gwen, "white, fair, blessed", and perhaps sebara, "magic" or "smooth".
Origin
Cornish. Guinevere is the wife of King Arthur in the legends of the Round Table.
History
Jennifer became popular after George Bernard Shaw's play The Doctor's Dilemma (1906) and the film Love Story (1970). It was the top girls' name in the United States every year from 1970 to 1984. Jenny and Jen are its short forms.
Jennifer in other languages
Jennifer is spelled the same in English, French, German and Spanish. The same family gives Guinevere in English, Guenièvre in French, Ginevra in Italian and Gwenhwyfar in Welsh.
Nicknames for Jennifer
The most common nicknames for Jennifer: Jen, Jenny and Jenna.
Did you know?
- Jennifer Lawrence won the Oscar for Best Actress in 2013, at 22, for Silver Linings Playbook.
Famous people named Jennifer
- Jennifer Lawrence, actress
- Jennifer Lopez, singer and actress
- Jennifer Aniston, actress
- Jennifer Hudson, singer
Popularity of the name Jennifer
Jennifer in the United States
Jennifer was most popular in the United States in the 1970s, with 583,653 births over the decade, 40% of all recorded babies named Jennifer. Its rise began around 1960, and it peaked in 1972. Half of all babies named Jennifer in the United States were born before 1978, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 623 births a year on average, against 1,043 in the five years before.
Jennifer in the United Kingdom
Jennifer was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 6,463 births over the decade, 50% of all recorded babies named Jennifer. Half of all babies named Jennifer in the United Kingdom were born before 2003. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 84 births a year on average, against 171 in the five years before.
Jennifer in Ireland
Jennifer in France
Jennifer in Belgium
Jennifer in Switzerland
Jennifer in Austria
Jennifer in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Jennifer
Names from the same generation as Jennifer, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Jennifer? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Jennifer with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Jennifer side by side with the name of your choice.
Jennifer in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jennifer mean?
Jennifer is the Cornish form of Guinevere, from the Welsh Gwenhwyfar, made of gwen, "white, fair, blessed", and perhaps sebara, "magic" or "smooth".
What is the origin of the name Jennifer?
Cornish. Guinevere is the wife of King Arthur in the legends of the Round Table.
Is Jennifer a girl's or a boy's name?
Jennifer is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Jennifer?
In 2024, Jennifer was the 547th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 552 births.
What are the variants of the name Jennifer?
Variants and related names of Jennifer include Jenna and Jennyfer.
What are good sibling names for Jennifer?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Amber, Stephanie, Jessica and Amanda for a sister, Brendan, Dustin, Brian and Zachary for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Jennifer?
The most common nicknames for Jennifer are Jen, Jenny and Jenna.
Who are famous people named Jennifer?
Jennifer Lawrence, actress; Jennifer Lopez, singer and actress; Jennifer Aniston, actress; Jennifer Hudson, singer.