Jennifer Name Meaning: Origin, Popularity & Nicknames

What Does Jennifer Mean?

Jennifer is of Cornish origin and a cognate of other names, such as the Irish Findabair and the Welsh Gwenhwyfar. The Welsh version is translated as “blessed one” or “fair one.”

What Is the Origin of the Name Jennifer?

The name Jennifer is a Cornish variation of Guinevere, the Queen of King Arthur ⁽¹⁾. It may derive from the Proto-Celtic word “windo-seibrā,” which translates as “fair one.” It was an etymological cognate with the Findabair (an Irish name) and Gwenhwyfar (a Welsh name).

The Cornish spelling, “Gwennever,” eventually evolved into the modern form of Jennifer. However, it wasn’t until the 18th Century that the name gained traction in England ⁽²⁾.

How Popular Is the Name Jennifer?

According to the Social Security Administration, the number of babies named Jennifer increased by about 7% between 2000 and 2010. While it was a popular choice well into the 2000s (perhaps partly influenced by iconic actresses like Jennifer Aniston), the name has since slipped down the charts ⁽³⁾.

The name Jennifer was in the top 30 until 2003. It fell out of the top 100 in 2009. In 2020, it held the 434th spot for newborn girls in the United States.

How Do I Pronounce Jennifer?

While there are various pronunciations depending on your location, the most common way to say the name is “Je-ni-fer.”

Is Jennifer a Boy or Girl Name?

It depends! When Jennifer is spelled without any accents, it usually refers to a female child. However, if it has an accent, it may refer to a boy. Although Jennifer is typically associated with girls, it can also be a boy’s name.

Variations of Jennifer

There are several variations of the name Jennifer, many of which have spread across the world. Below is a sample of them:

• Dzsenifer (Hungarian)
• Ginebra (Spanish)
• Ginevra (Italian)
• Ginewra (Polish)
• Guenever (Swedish)
• Guenièvre (French)
• Jeanine (French and Hebrew)
• Jenibeth (English)
• Jenilyn (English)
• Jenna (English)
• Jennie (English)
• Jenný (Icelandic)

Nicknames for Jennifer

There are many nicknames for Jennifer, most of which are a shortened form of the name. Here are some examples:

• Geneva
• Geny
• Ginny
• Jen
• Jenee
• Jeni
• Jenica
• Jennie
• Jenn Jenn
• NiNi

Similar Names to Jennifer

We’ve compiled a list of names that sound similar to Jennifer. Although they might share certain qualities with Jennifer, they are different enough to make them unique:

• Amy
• Angela
• Ashley
• Erica
• Jenna
• Jenny
• Jessica
• Katie
• Nicole
• Stephanie

Middle Names for Jennifer

When parents choose a name for their baby, they frequently consider the personality and characteristics of both the mother and father. Here are some ideas to get you thinking about what kind of middle name would work best for your little girl:

• Casey
• Chelsy
• Freya
• Jael
• Kaia
• Kalea
• Raya
• Rose
• Rosalia
• Tala

Sibling Names for Jennifer

Here are a few sibling names that go great with the name Jennifer:

For a brother:

• Brian
• Daniel
• James
• Jamie
• Jason
• John
• Kelly
• Kevin
• Matthew
• Robert

For a sister:

• Ann-Marie
• Greta
• Heather
• Julie
• Lindsay
• Maria
• Rebecca
• Robin
• Rosie
• Natalia

Famous People Named Jennifer

Here are just a few famous people whose names are Jennifer:

• Jennifer Aniston: American actress and producer.
• Jennifer Capriati: American former world No.1 Tennis player.
• Jennifer Granholm: Canadian-American politician.
• Jennifer Hudson: American singer and actress.
• Jennifer Lawrence: American actress noted for her role in the “Hunger Games” franchise.
• Jennifer Jason Leigh: American actress, writer, and producer.
• Jennifer Lopez: American singer, dancer, producer, and businesswoman.
• Jennifer Love Hewitt: American actress.
• Jennifer Meyer: American model and beauty queen.
• Jennifer Morrison: American actress, director, producer, and former child model.

Jennifer in Popular Culture

In the media, Jennifer has been portrayed by several actresses. These include:

• Jennifer Bassett: Character in the TV series “Boy Meets World.”
• Jennifer Check: Character from the movie “Jennifer’s Body.”
• Jenny Curran: Character in the movie “Forrest Gump.”
• Jenny Foxworth: Character in the animated movie “Oliver & Company.”
• Jennifer Grogan: Character in the movie “Marley & Me.”
• Jennifer Honey: Character in the movie “Matilda.”
• Jennifer “JJ” Jareau: Character in the TV series “Criminal Minds.”
• Jennifer Melfi: Character in the TV series “The Sopranos.”
• Jennifer Parker: Character in the “Back to the Future” movie series.
• Jennifer Taylor-Clarke: Character from the TV series “The Office.”

Jennifer FAQs

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the name Jennifer.