Jennifer Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

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

Fact: Jennifer appears in various works of literature. One notable example is Jennifer Honey, a kind-hearted character in Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book “Matilda.”

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A Deep Dive

Jennifer Overview

Meaning

White shadow, white wave, fair one

Gender

Girl

Origin

Cornish

Etymology

Jennifer is derived from the Cornish form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, meaning “fair one” or “white wave”​

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈdʒɛnɪfər/

Popularity

Jennifer has been a popular name globally, particularly in English-speaking countries like the USA, Canada, and the UK. In the USA, Jennifer ranked #517 for girls in 2023

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

8 letters

Numerology

9 (Humanitarian, Selfless, Creative)

Name Styles

Popular, Classic, Traditional

Associated Traits

Elegant, graceful, classic, intelligent.

Name Day

October 6 (Sweden)​
A Deep Dive

Jennifer Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Ginevra, Genevieve, Jenna, Guinevere, Jenifer

Common Nicknames

Jenny, Jen, Jeni, Nifer, J.J.

Diminutives

Jenni, Jeni, Jena, Nia, Jiffy

Famous People

  • Jennifer Lopez
    (American Singer and Actress)
  • Jennifer Aniston
    (American Actress)
  • Jennifer Lawrence
    (American Actress)
  • Jennifer Garner
    (American Actress)
  • Jennifer Hudson
    (American Singer and Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Jennifer Parker
    ("Back to the Future," Film Series)
  • Jennifer Melfi
    ("The Sopranos," TV Series)
  • Jennifer Check
    ("Jennifer's Body," Film)
  • Jennifer Garner
    ("Alias," TV Series)
  • Jennifer Jareau
    ("Criminal Minds," TV Series)

Places

  • Jennifer Avenue
    (Queensland, Australia)
  • Jennifer Street
    (Wisconsin, USA)
  • Jennifer Drive
    (Florida, USA)
  • Jennifer Street
    (New South Wales, Australia)

What Is the Meaning of Jennifer?

Jennifer means “fair one,” “white shadow” or “white wave.” The name suggests a gentle and kind personality, full of grace and warmth.

What Is the Origin of The Name Jennifer?

The name Jennifer is of Cornish origin, derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar. Gwenhwyfar, meaning “white” or “fair,” was the name of King Arthur’s queen in Welsh mythology.

Jennifer Name Popularity

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

United States flagUnited States#4942021#5002022#5172023
Top 3 Rankings#11970#11971#11972

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Jennifer

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023517
(-17 from 2022)
583
(-47 from 2022)
0.03333
2022500
(-6 from 2021)
630
(-7 from 2021)
0.03514
2021494
(-63 from 2020)
637
(-74 from 2020)
0.03556
2020431
(-41 from 2019)
711
(-77 from 2019)
0.04022
2019390
(-46 from 2018)
788
(-133 from 2018)
0.04295
2018344
(-35 from 2017)
921
(-131 from 2017)
0.04953
2017309
(-36 from 2016)
1052
(-109 from 2016)
0.05569
2016273
(-22 from 2015)
1161
(-125 from 2015)
0.05997
2015251
(-29 from 2014)
1286
(-235 from 2014)
0.06592
2014222
(-30 from 2013)
1521
(-170 from 2013)
0.07775
2013192
(-28 from 2012)
1691
(-236 from 2012)
0.08772
2012164
(-30 from 2011)
1927
(-353 from 2011)
0.09936
2011134
(-13 from 2010)
2280
(-342 from 2010)
0.11767
2010121
(-12 from 2009)
2622
(-365 from 2009)
0.13373
2009109
(-25 from 2008)
2987
(-808 from 2008)
0.14750
200884
(-20 from 2007)
3795
(-858 from 2007)
0.18220
200764
(-13 from 2006)
4653
(-614 from 2006)
0.21984
200651
(-9 from 2005)
5267
(-570 from 2005)
0.25195
200542
(-3 from 2004)
5837
(-708 from 2004)
0.28760
200439
(-8 from 2003)
6545
(-1023 from 2003)
0.32436
200331
(-3 from 2002)
7568
(-971 from 2002)
0.37718
200228
(-2 from 2001)
8539
(-382 from 2001)
0.43235
200126
No change from 2000
8921
(-468 from 2000)
0.45034
200026
(-5 from 1999)
9389
(-1225 from 1999)
0.47045
199921
(-1 from 1998)
10614
(-77 from 1998)
0.54520
199820
(-2 from 1997)
10691
(-1148 from 1997)
0.55151
199718
(+1 from 1996)
11839
(+110 from 1996)
0.62009
199619
(-1 from 1995)
11729
(-954 from 1995)
0.61177
199518
(-1 from 1994)
12683
(-1317 from 1994)
0.66004
199417
(-2 from 1993)
14000
(-1749 from 1993)
0.71818
199315
(-4 from 1992)
15749
(-2070 from 1992)
0.79882
199211
(-3 from 1991)
17819
(-2854 from 1991)
0.88887
19918
No change from 1990
20673
(-1562 from 1990)
1.01666
19908
(-1 from 1989)
22235
(-1765 from 1989)
1.08231
19897
(-2 from 1988)
24000
(-3892 from 1988)
1.20471
19885
(-1 from 1987)
27892
(-4815 from 1987)
1.45036
19874
No change from 1986
32707
(-3480 from 1986)
1.74510
19864
(-1 from 1985)
36187
(-6471 from 1985)
1.96083
19853
(-2 from 1984)
42658
(-7905 from 1984)
2.31044
19841
No change from 1983
50563
(-3789 from 1983)
2.80389
19831
No change from 1982
54352
(-2770 from 1982)
3.03698
19821
No change from 1981
57122
(+74 from 1981)
3.14846
19811
No change from 1980
57048
(-1331 from 1980)
3.18969
19801
No change from 1979
58379
(+1665 from 1979)
3.27853
19791
No change from 1978
56714
(+396 from 1978)
3.29106
19781
No change from 1977
56318
(-2646 from 1977)
3.42589
19771
No change from 1976
58964
(-508 from 1976)
3.58444
19761
No change from 1975
59472
(+1289 from 1975)
3.78345
19751
No change from 1974
58183
(-4924 from 1974)
3.72761
19741
No change from 1973
63107
(+661 from 1973)
4.02917
19731
No change from 1972
62446
(-1159 from 1972)
4.01813
19721
No change from 1971
63605
(+6835 from 1971)
3.94437
19711
No change from 1970
56770
(+10619 from 1970)
3.23919
19701
(+2 from 1969)
46151
(+12447 from 1969)
2.51936
19693
(+1 from 1968)
33704
(+6852 from 1968)
1.91203
19684
(+6 from 1967)
26852
(+8615 from 1967)
1.57058
196710
No change from 1966
18237
(+22 from 1966)
1.06224
196610
(+10 from 1965)
18215
(+3009 from 1965)
1.03744
196520
(+11 from 1964)
15206
(+2251 from 1964)
0.83208
196431
(+5 from 1963)
12955
(+1197 from 1963)
0.66186
196336
(+5 from 1962)
11758
(+781 from 1962)
0.59143
196241
(+6 from 1961)
10977
(+1713 from 1961)
0.54157
196147
(+14 from 1960)
9264
(+2022 from 1960)
0.44600
196061
(+17 from 1959)
7242
(+1009 from 1959)
0.34822
195978
(+3 from 1958)
6233
(+352 from 1958)
0.29986
195881
(+6 from 1957)
5881
(+398 from 1957)
0.28469
195787
(+10 from 1956)
5483
(+774 from 1956)
0.26133
195697
(+7 from 1955)
4709
(+586 from 1955)
0.22864
1955104
(+4 from 1954)
4123
(+158 from 1954)
0.20565
1954108
(+8 from 1953)
3965
(+590 from 1953)
0.19916
1953116
(-9 from 1952)
3375
(-151 from 1952)
0.17492
1952107
(+12 from 1951)
3526
(+552 from 1951)
0.18538
1951119
(-1 from 1950)
2974
(+172 from 1950)
0.16099
1950118
(+3 from 1949)
2802
(+184 from 1949)
0.15934
1949121
(+30 from 1948)
2618
(+736 from 1948)
0.14913
1948151
(-6 from 1947)
1882
(-128 from 1947)
0.10799
1947145
(+11 from 1946)
2010
(+277 from 1946)
0.11057
1946156
(+43 from 1945)
1733
(+748 from 1945)
0.10745
1945199
(+64 from 1944)
985
(+301 from 1944)
0.07317
1944263
(+134 from 1943)
684
(+347 from 1943)
0.05005
1943397
(+130 from 1942)
337
(+139 from 1942)
0.02348
1942527
(+77 from 1941)
198
(+62 from 1941)
0.01424
1941604
(+82 from 1940)
136
(+34 from 1940)
0.01091
1940686
(+205 from 1939)
102
(+40 from 1939)
0.00863
1939891
(+101 from 1938)
62
(+11 from 1938)
0.00547
1938992
(+168 from 1937)
51
(+13 from 1937)
0.00447
19371160
(-79 from 1936)
38
(-4 from 1936)
0.00345
19361081
(+101 from 1935)
42
(+6 from 1935)
0.00390
19351182
(-84 from 1934)
36
(-5 from 1934)
0.00331
19341098
(+213 from 1933)
41
(+11 from 1933)
0.00379
19331311
(+209 from 1932)
30
(+5 from 1932)
0.00287
19321520
(-61 from 1931)
25
(-1 from 1931)
0.00226
19311459
(+564 from 1930)
26
(+9 from 1930)
0.00236
19302023
(-12 from 1929)
17
No change from 1929
0.00146
19292011
(+1732 from 1928)
17
(+10 from 1928)
0.00147
19283743
(+1062 from 1927)
7
(+2 from 1927)
0.00059
19274805
(-1759 from 1926)
5
(-5 from 1926)
0.00040
19263046
(+316 from 1925)
10
(+1 from 1925)
0.00081
19253362
(-389 from 1924)
9
(-2 from 1924)
0.00071
19242973
(+377 from 1923)
11
(+2 from 1923)
0.00085
19233350
(+661 from 1922)
9
(+2 from 1922)
0.00072
19224011
(+1088 from 1921)
7
(+2 from 1921)
0.00056
19215099
(-1142 from 1920)
5
(-2 from 1920)
0.00039
19203957
(+294 from 1919)
7
(+1 from 1919)
0.00056
19194251
First SSA data recorded
6
First SSA data recorded
0.00051
19180
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19170
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19160
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19150
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
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 Jennifer

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

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#3952021#3022022#3842023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3912021#4572022#4002023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#4342021#4522022#4762023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#5272021#4432022#8062023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#5182021#4392022#6172023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#5032021#4662022#6632023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#7232020#7172021#8312022

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#4892021#4222022#5132023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#3722021#4012022#4082023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#4392021#7212022#3612023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#5242021#6002022#7792023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#3452021#7572022#7752023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#5102021#5912022#4722023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#4952021#4782022#3912023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#4682021#4122022#4202023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#7122021#6802022#5302023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#4962019#9042021#7092023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#6832021#4342022#4532023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#5772021#5142022#5932023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#3222021#3102022#4192023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#5942021#5912022#6062023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#4582021#6232022#5392023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3142017#5472019#3572021

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3982020#7832021#6802022

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#5302020#5312021#6252022

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#5912021#6582022#8272023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#6102021#7332022#6102023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3662020#7662021#7592023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#5072018#3002019#6562023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#5732021#6362022#6532023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4542021#6562022#4632023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4832021#5652022#3052023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5932017#4072018#4882023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3402019#3252020#5352021

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3982019#4442020#2892023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2822010#2402011#3052014

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2542016#3192017#2652019

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2062009#2092010#2502014

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2562008#1732011#2362012

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2072013#2152015#2092018

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1352014#2342015#1942016

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#5682019#4062021#4542023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2972014#1872015#4022020

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2682009#2162011#2472013

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1672003#922005#2452016

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2432008#1632011#2392014

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1282008#1412010#2362014

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1102011#1442012#2062013

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1112002#1242003#772006

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1682013#2132014#1592022

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#582001#482002#812003

Popularity Rankings for Jennifer 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#502007#462009#342011

Popularity in Galicia, Spain

Galicia, Spain flagGalicia, Spain#412000#492003

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#682001#912002#882003

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#982002

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#1002008#4332022#7742023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1002001#1102002#1552003

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#1012020#1142021

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1502001#1382002#1972003

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1522010#1532011#1722012

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1582007#1672008#1992009

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1782009#1872011#1842012

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2672015#2452016#4152021

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#2872008#3742009#4202010

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#4642021#3382022#3162023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#4022018#3522019#3922022

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3532016#3612018#3542022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3552019#4302020#4692021

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#4062015#3812016#4552017

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#3972016#5202017#4712020

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4712020#4852021#4822023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#7722021#6542022#5762023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#5982020#9952021#6812022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#8592020#7452021#8902022

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

Is Jennifer a Name for Boys or Girls?

Today, Jennifer remains a popular name for girls. Its usage for boys is extremely uncommon and not widely recognized.

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

Jennifer in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Jennifer Lopez (Singer and Actress, born 1969): An iconic entertainer in music and film, known for her versatile talent and business acumen.
  • Jennifer Aniston (Actress, born 1969): Gained worldwide fame as Rachel on the TV show "Friends" and has a successful film career.
  • Jennifer Lawrence (Actress, born 1990): Starred in "The Hunger Games" series and won an Academy Award for "Silver Linings Playbook."
  • Jennifer Garner (Actress, born 1972): Rose to prominence with her role in the TV series "Alias" and has appeared in numerous films.
  • Jennifer Hudson (Singer and Actress, born 1981): Won an Academy Award for "Dreamgirls" and achieved success as a singer and coach on "The Voice."
  • Jennifer Love Hewitt (Actress, born 1979): Known for her roles in "Party of Five" and "Ghost Whisperer."
  • Jennifer Saunders (Comedian and Actress, born 1958): British comedian and actress, famous for her role in "Absolutely Fabulous."
  • Jennifer Connelly (Actress, born 1970): Won an Academy Award for her role in "A Beautiful Mind" and starred in various critically acclaimed films.
  • Jennifer Parker ("Back to the Future," 1985 Film Series): Marty McFly's supportive girlfriend who experiences the time-traveling adventures alongside him.
  • Jennifer Melfi ("The Sopranos," 1999 TV Series): A psychiatrist treating mob boss Tony Soprano, balancing her professional ethics and personal safety.
  • Jennifer Check ("Jennifer's Body," 2009 Film): A high school girl who becomes possessed and turns into a succubus, preying on her male classmates.
  • Jennifer Garner ("Alias," 2001 TV Series): A double agent working for the CIA and a secret criminal organization.
  • Jennifer Jareau ("Criminal Minds," 2005 TV Series): A communications liaison and profiler in the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit.
  • Jennifer Cavilleri ("Love Story," 1970 Film): A smart and spirited woman who falls in love with a wealthy Harvard student.
  • Jennifer Lawrence ("The Hunger Games," 2012 Film Series): A fearless competitor in a dystopian society's deadly games.
  • Jennifer Walters ("She-Hulk," 2022 TV Series): A lawyer who gains superhuman strength and abilities after receiving a blood transfusion from her cousin Bruce Banner.
  • Jennifer Avenue (Queensland, Australia): A residential street located in the suburban area of Kuraby.
  • Jennifer Street (Wisconsin, USA): A notable street in the city of Madison.
  • Jennifer Drive (Florida, USA): A street in the suburban community of Valrico.
  • Jennifer Street (New South Wales, Australia): Located in in the La Perouse area of Sydney.

Similar Names to Jennifer

Sibling Names for Jennifer