Meaning, origin, history
Jennifer is a female given name of English origin, derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar. The name Gwenhwyfar means "fair and smooth," and it was popularized by the character Guinevere in Sir Thomas Malory's 15th-century collection of Arthurian romances, "Le Morte d'Arthur." In this work, Guinevere is portrayed as King Arthur's second wife and queen consort. The name Jennifer gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, particularly after World War II, and it reached peak popularity in the United States during the late 1960s to early 1970s. Today, Jennifer remains a popular choice for parents naming their daughters, ranking among the top 500 names in the United States according to recent data from the Social Security Administration.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Geniffer since 1880
Total births
5
Total since 1880
Peak year
1985
5 births
in 1985
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
→
vs previous 5 years