Jennifer - girls name

Jennifer name popularity, meaning and origin

Name Popularity: 92%

Jennifer name meaning:

The name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and has various meanings. One interpretation is that it is derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, made up of the elements "gwen" meaning "white, fair" and "hwyfar" meaning "smooth, soft." Therefore, the name Jennifer can be translated as "fair and smooth." Another possible meaning is "white wave," as "gwen" can also mean "white" and "hiver" means "wave" in Welsh.

Jennifer gained popularity as a given name in English-speaking countries in the mid-20th century. It was popularized by the character Jennifer Jones in the film "The Song of Bernadette" (1943), and further popularized by the character Jennifer in the novel and film "Love Story" (1970). The name Jennifer is often associated with qualities such as beauty, kindness, and intelligence. It has a timeless and elegant appeal, making it a popular choice for parents seeking a classic name for their daughters.

Origin: Welsh

White spirit.

Related names

Jennifer , Jen, Jenna , Jennie , Jenny , Jenifer

Other girls names beginning with J

Statistics

Overall UK ranking: 469 out of 5581

91 recorded births last year

Change in rank

  • 10yrs

    -294
  • 5yrs

    -223
  • 1yr

    -39

    Regional popularity

    Ranking for this name in various UK regions

  • Scotland (485)

Historical popularity of Jennifer

The graph below shows the popularity of the girls's name Jennifer from all the UK baby name statistics available. It's a quick easy way to see the trend for Jennifer in 2024