Jenna is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew name Jehannah, which means "God is gracious" or "graced by God." The name Jenna has gained popularity in English-speaking countries over the past few decades.
In literature, one notable character named Jenna appears in Philip Pullman's trilogy His Dark Materials. In this series, Jenna is a young girl who plays a significant role in the story's plot. This literary character may have contributed to the increased familiarity and usage of the name Jenna in recent years.
The name Jenna has been consistently popular in the United States since the late 1980s, reaching its peak popularity during the mid-1990s when it ranked among the top 50 most popular girl names. While its popularity has slightly decreased over time, Jenna remains a widely recognized and used feminine given name.
Some variations of the name Jenna include Jahna, Janna, and Genna. These variants offer parents additional options if they are considering this name for their child but prefer a less common spelling or pronunciation.
Overall, Jenna is a beautiful and meaningful Hebrew name that has gained significant recognition and popularity in recent decades, particularly in English-speaking countries. Its biblical origins and positive meaning make it an attractive choice for parents looking for a name with strong roots and a positive connotation.
The name Jenna has seen varying popularity over the years in the United States, as indicated by the birth statistics provided. The earliest recorded year for the name is 1981, with a total of 5 births that year.
In the following years, the number of babies named Jenna increased steadily:
* There were 8 births in 1982,
* 19 births in 1984,
* 18 births in 1985,
* And peaking at 24 births in 1987.
However, from 1988 onwards, the popularity of the name began to decline:
* There were 17 births in 1988,
* Then a significant drop to 13 births in 1989,
* Followed by another decrease to 7 births in 1990.
The years between 1991 and 2005 saw fluctuations in the number of babies named Jenna:
* There were 12 births in 1991,
* Then a return to lower numbers: 13 births in 1992, 5 births in 1993, and 5 births again in 1994.
* The name regained some popularity with 8 births each in the years 2000 and 2006.
From 2001 to 2005, there were consistently fewer than 10 babies named Jenna each year:
* There were 7 births in 2001,
* Then a slight increase to 8 births in 2002,
* Followed by another drop to 6 births in 2003.
* The number of births then rose significantly to 27 in 2004,
* But decreased again to 6 births in 2005.
In conclusion, the name Jenna experienced its peak popularity between 1986 and 1987, with a total of 24 births each year. However, since then, the number of babies named Jenna has fluctuated significantly, with fewer than 10 births per year from 2005 onwards. Overall, there have been a total of 256 births for the name Jenna in the United States since 1981.