Meaning, origin, history
Jennifer is a name of Welsh origin, derived from the elements "Gwen" meaning fair or white, and "hwyfar" which means smooth or peaceful. The name was originally used as a surname before becoming popular as a given name in the Middle Ages.
The most famous bearer of the name Jennifer was undoubtedly the 6th-century Welsh king, Jenner of Brycheiniog. However, it is believed that the name has been in use since at least the 12th century, when it appears in the works of the Welsh poet, Gwenallt ap Einion.
In literature, the name Jennifer has been popularized by several notable characters, including Jennifer Hope-Haight in P.G. Wodehouse's Jeeves series and Jennifer "Jenny" Curran in Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Today, Jennifer remains a popular given name for girls, often spelled without the final "n". According to data from the Social Security Administration, it was the second most popular name for newborn girls in the United States during the 1970s and has remained among the top 100 names since then.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Jennier since 1880
Total births
247
Total since 1880
Peak year
1985
18 births
in 1993
6
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
→
vs previous 5 years