Gender Feminine
Pronounced Pron. JEHN-i-fər(English) JEH-ni-fu(German)  [key·IPA]

Meaning & History

From a Cornish form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar (see Guinevere). This name has only been common outside of Cornwall since the beginning of the 20th century, after it was featured in George Bernard Shaw's play The Doctor's Dilemma (1906). It barely ranked in the United until the late 1930s, when it began steadily growing in popularity, accelerating into the early 1970s. It was the most popular name for girls in America between 1970 and 1984, though it was not as common in the United Kingdom.

Famous bearers include the American actresses Jennifer Aniston (1969-), Jennifer Garner (1972-) and Jennifer Lawrence (1990-), as well as the singer/actress Jennifer Lopez (1969-).

Related Names

VariantsJenifer(English) Jenifer(Spanish) Yenifer(Spanish (Latin American))
DiminutivesJen, Jena, Jenelle, Jeni, Jenn, Jenna, Jenni, Jennie, Jenny, Jenae, Jenessa(English) Jenny(German) Jenny(Dutch) Jennie, Jenny(Swedish) Jenny(Spanish) Yenny(Spanish (Latin American))
Other Languages & CulturesGwenhwyfar, Guenevere, Guinevere(Arthurian Romance) Jenifer(Cornish) Jenna, Jenni, Jenny(Finnish) Guenièvre(French) Dzsenifer(Hungarian) Jenný(Icelandic) Ginevra(Italian) Jenny(Norwegian) Gaenor, Gaynor(Welsh) Gwenhwyfar(Welsh Mythology)

People think this name is

formal   natural   wholesome   refined  

Name Days

Sweden: October 6

Images

Queen Guinevere by William Morris (1858)Queen Guinevere by William Morris (1858)

Categories

Entry updated January 21, 2022