Jenna Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Jenna Name Meaning

Fact: The name Jenna first used as a name in the 1970s before becoming more common name in 2021 with 514 baby girls born with the moniker.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Jenna Overview

Meaning

White shadow, white wave

Gender

Girl

Origin

English

Etymology

Derived from the Cornish name Jennifer, which itself comes from the Welsh name Guinevere, meaning “white shadow” or “white wave”.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈdʒɛnə/

Popularity

Jenna is well-known in English-speaking countries like the USA and UK, often chosen for its soft and elegant sound. In 2023, Jenna ranked #629 for girls in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

8 (Practical, Ambitious, Materialistic)

Name Styles

Aesthetic, Cool, Unique, Nature-inspired

Associated Traits

Charismatic, graceful, intelligent, kind

Name Day

January 3rd, May 22 (Sweden)
A Deep Dive

Jenna Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Jennifer, Jenny, Jenifer, Jenessa, Janessa, Jennica, Jenika, Janine, Genevieve, Janna

Common Nicknames

Jen, Jenny, J, Jay, Jeni, Jenna Bear, Nenna, Nene, J.J., Enna

Diminutives

Jen, Jenny, Jeni, Enna, J.J

Famous People

  • Jenna Dewan
    (American Actress)
  • Jenna Fischer
    (American Actress)
  • Jenna Coleman
    (English Actress)
  • Jenna Ortega
    (American Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Jenna Maroney
    ("30 Rock," TV Series)
  • Jenna Hamilton
    ("Awkward," TV Series)
  • Jenna Rink
    ("13 Going on 30," Film)

What Is the Meaning of Jenna?

Jenna means “white shadow” or “white wave.” People named Jenna are often described as calm and gentle, like a peaceful wave.

What Is the Origin of The Name Jenna?

The name Jenna is of English origin, derived from the name Jennifer, which itself is a Cornish variant of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar.

Jenna Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Jenna in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#5862021#6382022#6292023
Top 3 Rankings#452001#472002#501985

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Jenna

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023629
(+9 from 2022)
470
(+9 from 2022)
0.02687
2022638
(-52 from 2021)
461
(-53 from 2021)
0.02571
2021586
(-38 from 2020)
514
(-31 from 2020)
0.02869
2020548
(-106 from 2019)
545
(-164 from 2019)
0.03083
2019442
(-16 from 2018)
709
(-27 from 2018)
0.03864
2018426
(-40 from 2017)
736
(-75 from 2017)
0.03958
2017386
(-21 from 2016)
811
(-80 from 2016)
0.04293
2016365
(-67 from 2015)
891
(-198 from 2015)
0.04603
2015298
(-34 from 2014)
1089
(-149 from 2014)
0.05582
2014264
(-37 from 2013)
1238
(-179 from 2013)
0.06328
2013227
(-23 from 2012)
1417
(-109 from 2012)
0.07351
2012204
(-34 from 2011)
1526
(-315 from 2011)
0.07868
2011170
(-29 from 2010)
1841
(-384 from 2010)
0.09501
2010141
(-20 from 2009)
2225
(-410 from 2009)
0.11348
2009121
(-13 from 2008)
2635
(-606 from 2008)
0.13012
2008108
(-5 from 2007)
3241
(-63 from 2007)
0.15560
2007103
(-15 from 2006)
3304
(-637 from 2006)
0.15611
200688
(-26 from 2005)
3941
(-854 from 2005)
0.18852
200562
(-6 from 2004)
4795
(-380 from 2004)
0.23626
200456
(-2 from 2003)
5175
(-177 from 2003)
0.25647
200354
(-7 from 2002)
5352
(-312 from 2002)
0.26674
200247
(-2 from 2001)
5664
(-479 from 2001)
0.28678
200145
(+18 from 2000)
6143
(+1098 from 2000)
0.31011
200063
(-2 from 1999)
5045
(+2 from 1999)
0.25279
199961
(+4 from 1998)
5043
(+177 from 1998)
0.25904
199865
(+11 from 1997)
4866
(+444 from 1997)
0.25102
199776
(+7 from 1996)
4422
(+134 from 1996)
0.23161
199683
(+1 from 1995)
4288
(+34 from 1995)
0.22366
199584
(-4 from 1994)
4254
(-340 from 1994)
0.22138
199480
(-10 from 1993)
4594
(-287 from 1993)
0.23566
199370
(-3 from 1992)
4881
(-210 from 1992)
0.24757
199267
(+13 from 1991)
5091
(+633 from 1991)
0.25396
199180
(+1 from 1990)
4458
(+502 from 1990)
0.21924
199081
(-10 from 1989)
3956
(-383 from 1989)
0.19256
198971
(-5 from 1988)
4339
(-268 from 1988)
0.21780
198866
(-9 from 1987)
4607
(-699 from 1987)
0.23956
198757
(-2 from 1986)
5306
(-109 from 1986)
0.28310
198655
(-5 from 1985)
5415
(-1021 from 1985)
0.29342
198550
(+4 from 1984)
6436
(+555 from 1984)
0.34859
198454
(+161 from 1983)
5881
(+4713 from 1983)
0.32612
1983215
(+32 from 1982)
1168
(+156 from 1982)
0.06526
1982247
(-51 from 1981)
1012
(-349 from 1981)
0.05578
1981196
(+42 from 1980)
1361
(+285 from 1980)
0.07610
1980238
(+125 from 1979)
1076
(+454 from 1979)
0.06043
1979363
(+68 from 1978)
622
(+159 from 1978)
0.03609
1978431
(-37 from 1977)
463
(-68 from 1977)
0.02816
1977394
(+23 from 1976)
531
(+47 from 1976)
0.03228
1976417
(-13 from 1975)
484
(-17 from 1975)
0.03079
1975404
(+14 from 1974)
501
(+32 from 1974)
0.03210
1974418
(-59 from 1973)
469
(-122 from 1973)
0.02994
1973359
(+191 from 1972)
591
(+287 from 1972)
0.03803
1972550
(+330 from 1971)
304
(+152 from 1971)
0.01885
1971880
(+213 from 1970)
152
(+44 from 1970)
0.00867
19701093
(-75 from 1969)
108
(-6 from 1969)
0.00590
19691018
(+330 from 1968)
114
(+46 from 1968)
0.00647
19681348
(+158 from 1967)
68
(+13 from 1967)
0.00398
19671506
(-91 from 1966)
55
(-5 from 1966)
0.00320
19661415
(+85 from 1965)
60
(+5 from 1965)
0.00342
19651500
(-39 from 1964)
55
(-5 from 1964)
0.00301
19641461
(+28 from 1963)
60
(+4 from 1963)
0.00307
19631489
(-94 from 1962)
56
(-7 from 1962)
0.00282
19621395
(+125 from 1961)
63
(+8 from 1961)
0.00311
19611520
(+494 from 1960)
55
(+23 from 1960)
0.00265
19602014
(-249 from 1959)
32
(-7 from 1959)
0.00154
19591765
(+612 from 1958)
39
(+16 from 1958)
0.00188
19582377
(+109 from 1957)
23
(+2 from 1957)
0.00111
19572486
(-428 from 1956)
21
(-7 from 1956)
0.00100
19562058
(-151 from 1955)
28
(-3 from 1955)
0.00136
19551907
(+80 from 1954)
31
(+3 from 1954)
0.00155
19541987
(-204 from 1953)
28
(-3 from 1953)
0.00141
19531783
(+483 from 1952)
31
(+10 from 1952)
0.00161
19522266
(-150 from 1951)
21
(-1 from 1951)
0.00110
19512116
(+4 from 1950)
22
(+1 from 1950)
0.00119
19502120
(-51 from 1949)
21
(-1 from 1949)
0.00119
19492069
(+260 from 1948)
22
(+4 from 1948)
0.00125
19482329
(-539 from 1947)
18
(-11 from 1947)
0.00103
19471790
(+528 from 1946)
29
(+12 from 1946)
0.00160
19462318
(+140 from 1945)
17
(+4 from 1945)
0.00105
19452458
(+488 from 1944)
13
(+3 from 1944)
0.00097
19442946
(-695 from 1943)
10
(-6 from 1943)
0.00073
19432251
(+286 from 1942)
16
(+3 from 1942)
0.00111
19422537
(+1022 from 1941)
13
(+6 from 1941)
0.00093
19413559
(-822 from 1940)
7
(-3 from 1940)
0.00056
19402737
(-531 from 1939)
10
(-4 from 1939)
0.00085
19392206
(-261 from 1938)
14
(-3 from 1938)
0.00123
19381945
(+251 from 1937)
17
(+3 from 1937)
0.00149
19372196
(-506 from 1936)
14
(-6 from 1936)
0.00127
19361690
(+1041 from 1935)
20
(+10 from 1935)
0.00186
19352731
(-442 from 1934)
10
(-3 from 1934)
0.00092
19342289
(-683 from 1933)
13
(-9 from 1933)
0.00120
19331606
(+350 from 1932)
22
(+5 from 1932)
0.00210
19321956
(-407 from 1931)
17
(-7 from 1931)
0.00154
19311549
(+1796 from 1930)
24
(+16 from 1930)
0.00217
19303345
(-424 from 1929)
8
(-2 from 1929)
0.00069
19292921
(+243 from 1928)
10
(+1 from 1928)
0.00086
19283164
(-118 from 1926)
9
(-1 from 1926)
0.00075
19270
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19263046
(+1927 from 1925)
10
(+5 from 1925)
0.00081
19254973
(-1580 from 1924)
5
(-4 from 1924)
0.00040
19243393
(+983 from 1923)
9
(+3 from 1923)
0.00069
19234376
(+68 from 1922)
6
No change from 1922
0.00048
19224444
(+655 from 1921)
6
(+1 from 1921)
0.00048
19215099
(-2002 from 1920)
5
(-5 from 1920)
0.00039
19203097
(+1154 from 1919)
10
(+4 from 1919)
0.00080
19194251
(+40 from 1918)
6
No change from 1918
0.00051
19184291
(-1199 from 1917)
6
(-3 from 1917)
0.00050
19173092
(+1182 from 1915)
9
(+4 from 1915)
0.00080
19160
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19154274
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00049
19140
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19130
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19120
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19110
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Jenna

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#6462021#6152022#6332023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#6722021#7332022#6112023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#5602021#4302022#4832023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#6352021#4932022#5352023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#5172021#7512022#6332023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#5662021#5332022#6562023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2902021#2992022#2272023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#8262021#8222022#7032023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#6582021#5632022#5052023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#9082020#7192021#4382023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#5522020#5202021#8972023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#5032021#6232022#5212023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3802021#4122022#4362023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#5932021#7422022#7422023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#7112021#5792022#5292023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#7612021#8212022#7902023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#6152021#4582022#7382023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4072020#3682021#3652022

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#8262019#8502020#7622022

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#4212021#6602022#11662023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#11482021#6062022#10082023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#4302020#4482021#5742023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3772021#5902022#5322023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#4892018#6532020#5802023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#9392021#9572022#8542023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#7842020#6202021#5322022

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4672019#5422021#6552022

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#4162017#3722018#6552023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3602021#4982022#5032023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#6112019#7092020#8392021

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3492017#2922019#3372021

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#6742020#6612022#4982023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#5752019#6632020#4252023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1722018#2262019#3522020

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3392019#5342021#6182022

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1112011#2022014#2142015

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2262013#2052014#1442015

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2062011#1242012#2002014

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2662015#4922019#5642021

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#2872018#4392021#4942022

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1622015#1982017#1812023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3412017#2982019#2292021

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2562014#2022015#2352016

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1752011#2542014#2012020

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1862009#2162010#2122019

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3102012#2072014#3882017

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1302010#2052013#2082017

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#762006#532007#572008

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#712009#1542010#1602011

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#822006#452008#1172009

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1561998#2612000#1282002

Popularity Rankings for Jenna in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#172001#532008

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#551989#531990#991991

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1302019#1442020#1412021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2082018#3362019#3542022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2912020#3972021#4422022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#4022010#2972011#3202013

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3562016#4092017#4182022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#4122017#3662018#3712019

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#4392020#5052021#3792022

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#4642021#7472022#4452023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#4962020#4682021#7562022

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#4872023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#6142018#7032019#9552020

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Jenna a Name for Boys or Girls?

Jenna is seen as a girls’ name due to its roots and widespread use for female babies.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Jenna

Jenna in Famous People Names and Pop Culture

  • Jenna Dewan (Actress, 1980): An American actress and dancer known for her role as Nora Clark in the film "Step Up" and for her work on the TV series "Witches of East End."
  • Jenna Fischer (Actress, 1974): An American actress best known for her role as Pam Beesly on the TV show "The Office."
  • Jenna Coleman (Actress, 1986): An English actress recognized for her roles in "Doctor Who" and "Victoria."
  • Jenna Ortega (Actress, 2002): An American actress known for her role as Young Jane on "Jane the Virgin" and as Harley Diaz on "Stuck in the Middle."
  • Jenna Maroney ("30 Rock," 2006 TV Series): A fictional character who is a self-absorbed actress on a comedy sketch show.
  • Jenna Hamilton ("Awkward," 2011 TV Series): The protagonist of this teen drama, navigating high school and personal challenges.
  • Jenna Rink ("13 Going on 30," 2004 Film): A teenage girl who magically wakes up as a 30-year-old woman after making a wish.
  • None

Similar Names to Jenna

Sibling Names for Jenna