Meaning, origin, history
Jennifer is a female given name of Welsh origin. It was created by combining the name Guinevere, from the Arthurian legends, with the suffix "fer" meaning "fair". Thus, Jennifer means "fair shadow", or more literally, "the fair one".
The name Guinevere itself comes from the Old Welsh word "gwyn" meaning "white" or "fair", and "gyffen" meaning "smooth", hence the translation as "the white wave".
Jennifer was quite rare until the mid-20th century when it started to gain popularity. It became particularly popular in English-speaking countries during the 1970s and 1980s, reaching its peak in the United States in 1974 where it ranked as the second most popular name for girls that year.
Throughout history, many notable figures have borne this name, including Jennifer Aniston, the American actress known for her role in the television sitcom "Friends", and Jennifer Lawrence, who won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film "Silver Linings Playbook". However, it's important to note that these individuals are not connected to the origin or meaning of the name itself.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Jennfier since 1880
Total births
234
Total since 1880
Peak year
1980
20 births
in 1992
6
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
→
vs previous 5 years