About the name Jennifer
The origin of Jennifer is debated, and we couldn't confirm its meaning from a sourced etymology. A commonly cited theory links it to Welsh roots, with the meaning “Fair, white, smooth (form of Guinevere)”. Treat that as a theory, not a settled fact.
Why we say this: we only state a meaning as fact when a sourced etymology (Wiktionary, with its references) supports it. For Jennifer we didn't find one we were confident in, so we show the popular explanation as a theory.
It has a classic feel. In 2025, Jennifer ranked #586 for girls in the US, with 501 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 1972. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Jennifer were girls.
- US rank 2025
- #586
- In 2015
- #251
- Babies in 2025
- 501
Popularity of Jennifer, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
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Jennifer
Your last name
born on your big day
7 LB 4 OZ · 20 IN
The Baby Kit
See Jennifer on a birth announcement
Birth announcements, shower invitations, nursery wall art and milestone cards, all personalized with Jennifer. Type your details once and print at home or at any print shop.
Nicknames for Jennifer
- Jen
- Jenny
Names similar to Jennifer
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.