Jennifer
English · Girl · 3 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Jennifer
Jennifer derives from the Cornish name Guinevere, which comes from the Welsh "Gwenhwyfar," composed of "gwen" (fair/blessed) and "hwyfar" (smooth/soft), meaning "fair one" or "blessed one." The name became popular in English-speaking countries during the 20th century, particularly after the 1954 film "Roman Holiday" and subsequent cultural influence, though it has medieval Arthurian roots as the name of King Arthur's queen.
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Etymology
Jennifer derives from the Cornish name Guinevere, which comes from the Welsh "Gwenhwyfar," composed of "gwen" (fair/blessed) and "hwyfar" (smooth/soft), meaning "fair one" or "blessed one." The name became popular in English-speaking countries during the 20th century, particularly after the 1954 film "Roman Holiday" and subsequent cultural influence, though it has medieval Arthurian roots as the name of King Arthur's queen.
Jennifer currently ranks #586 in the United States as a girl's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1972.
Variants & nicknames
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Sibling name ideas
English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Spanish names that sit beautifully beside JenniferSimilar names you might like
Names starting with JMore names starting with J
- Jacobus
- Jacqueline
- Jacoba
- Jace
- Jackson
- Jacek
- Jacob
- Jaana
- Jacinta
- Jack
- Jade
- Jaden
- Jad
- Jackie
- Jacky
- Jac
- Jada
- Jacques
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Names that sound like Jennifer
Phonetic match, not just spelling"The name Juniper derives from the Latin "juniperus," referring to the juniper plant, and means "young" (from Latin "juvenis") combined…"
"The name Jenifer is a Cornish variant of Guinevere, meaning "white phantom" or "fair one," derived from the Welsh elements…"
"The name 'Jeniffer' is a variant of 'Jennifer', meaning "white wave" or "fair one," derived from the Welsh name 'Gwenhwyfar'…"
"The name 'Jeanpierre' is a compound French given name meaning "God is gracious" (from Jean, derived from Hebrew *Yohanan*) combined…"
"The name 'Jenniffer' is a variant of 'Jennifer', which derives from the Cornish name 'Gwenhwyfar', meaning "white phantom" or "fair…"
"The name 'Jennafer' is a variant of 'Jennifer,' which derives from the Cornish form of the Welsh name 'Gwenhwyfar,' meaning…"
"Jean-François combines the French forms of "John" (from Hebrew Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious") and "Francis" (from the Latin Franciscus,…"
"Jennyfer is a variant spelling of Jennifer, derived from the Cornish name Guinevere, which comes from the Welsh "Gwenhwyfar" meaning…"
"Jean-Pierre combines two names: Jean (French form of John, from Hebrew Yohanan meaning "God is gracious") and Pierre (French form…"
"The given name 'Janvier' means "January" in French, derived from the Latin *Januarius*, which refers to the Roman god Janus."
"Jean-Franco combines "Jean," the French form of John (from Hebrew Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious"), with "Franco," derived from the…"
"Jean-Fernand combines "Jean," the French form of John (from Hebrew Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious"), with "Fernand," a Spanish/Portuguese form…"