For the Dutch pronunciation of Jenny, you can listen to the audio clips featured on the websites below:• https://nl.wiktionary.org/wiki/Jenny (in Dutch) • https://nl.forvo.com/search/Jenny/nl/ (in Dutch) • https://youtu.be/C__UkNxyF9M (in Dutch; the name is said at 1:00) • https://youtu.be/NBgxC0TDot0 (in Dutch; the name is said at 0:43 and 0:57) • https://youtu.be/YtEVTNeofh8 (in Dutch; the name is said at 0:14)Converted to IPA, it should be:• /'jɛ.ni/ (fully Dutch) • /'d͡ʑɛ.ni/ (based on the English pronunciation) [noted -ed]Important: the name Jenny was already in use before 1900, so well before the post-war period of WW II, which is when English names gained much greater exposure in the Netherlands. Jenny actually isn't necessarily an imported English name; it was natively used as a diminutive for Jenneke and Jennigje and other related names. However, the spelling Jennie was generally preferred and thus more common.It goes without saying that /'jɛ.ni/ was the dominant pronunciation before WW II and some time after, as hardly anyone spoke English as a second language back then. As a result, boomers and those remaining of the generation before them will still use that pronunciation. But the younger generations who grew up with the English language will be more inclined to use the English pronunciation, especially millennials and Gen Z.The situation described above will be slightly less pronounced in contemporary Flanders, as people there are generally more conservative when it comes to linguistic matters like this. In other words: the Dutch pronunciation has a stronger presence there, even among the younger generations.
This is one of the most beautiful girl names that I know; furthermore, I also love the spelling "Jennie". I wish that people still considered this name for their daughters.
I'd like to share the changes of my English name and my personal impression of this name. I'm a Chinese girl. When I was a little girl in primary school, my English name is Jeny because of a web game's character. My English teacher and I both think it is a beautiful name and easy to read out. My friends said this name makes them feel the person is cute and quiet. I don't know if it was a wrong spelling at that time. And when I studied in junior high school, I have to change my name to Jennifer, hence there is another student called Jenny in my class. However, I don't know why Jennifer makes me feel like ambitious and aggressive. Now I'm an undergraduate student, I use Jenny as my English name. Because it is a formal way. What this name gives me the impression of is diligent and hard-working. I like all of my names, all of the experiences in my life. Jeny, Jennifer, Jenny have different meanings for me, and I love them so much. All in all, Jenny is quite a good name.
First, Jenny is of Hebrew origin, a derivative of the masculine John. Collectively meaning “God is Gracious” or “God’s Grace”. For those who chose to rant that the name Jenny means a “HEE- HAW”, or a female donkey, Jenny is actually a term commonly associated with many female species…especially birds! For example “Jenny Wren” spoken of in writings.Second I was born with the name JENNY and NOT JENNIFER! IT SAYS JENNY ON MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE! My mother didn’t want to name me anything I wasn’t going to be called! (Even when some people call me JEN it inwardly makes me CRINGE, I don’t say anything, but I draw the line at being called “Jennifer” because that is creating letters that don’t even EXIST in my name LOL!Folks should keep in mind to not be overly presumptuous about the name of a person they don’t know - especially in dealing with business relationships: Especially if a person already introduced themselves and provided a business card that said “Jenny” as the first name, for example! It is then embarrassing to be asked for by an incorrect name at your place of business!It may be a misconception to some that this isn’t a big deal, but in fact the only thing more irritating is when that person looks at you or others around you with complete ignorance, has the nerve to be aggravated & say “you know what I mean”!
I personally feel that Jenny is a name best suited to a tortoise. Some people have said that Jenny is a "boring" and "common" name but I LOVE myself (I am called Jenny). Jenny suits my refined and highly creative demeanor. Being an art therapist myself, I encounter lots of criticism when faced with potential "Karen's" or "Jane's" however they are not capable of reaching my higher levels of life's sculpture. They are squares in nature's circle.
My real name is Jenny... I hated that everyone called me Jennifer. I remember in kindergarten going home with Jennifer written as my name that I did. I told my mom the teacher said I have to use my real name. My mother got upset and went to Mrs. Waltz and told her my name was Jenny. With disbelief she asked for proof because children need to learn their real name. Well, she looked like a fool. But still to this day people say Jennifer as I say Jenny. If your name is Jenny embrace it, don't let someone change it because of statistics. It's not short for Jennifer it's its own name! It's beautiful, unique and I love it.
This name is not Spanish, maybe it's used in some Latino American country but that does not make it Spanish. If, let's say Amalie started to be used instead of Emily in the states or the UK, Amalie would not automatically become English. Also, spelled like this, Jenny sounds like it should in Spanish, it would be something like Yeni, Lleni or even Hieni.
― Anonymous User 3/31/2020
-1
YEH-nuy in German and Danish, and YEHN-nuy in Finnish and Swedish.
I love this name! My name is Jennifer, but as a child everyone called me Jenny. As I grew up, my friends and family started calling me Jen or Jennifer, but sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I stuck with the name Jenny!
Joining the club of people who hate being named Jenny. Growing up it was very common. My freshman year I was assigned a roommate called Jennifer! Where I live, it sounds the same as Ginny and Jeannie, so I'm always having to spell it. Oddly, it seems like a pretty name in the abstract and rather endearing on other people - my grandmother Jane was always called Jennie. But I don't like it as name for me. Have given myself nicknames since age 5 or so. When asked the meaning, I always say "white girl born in the south."
I don't like the names Jennifer or Jen at all, but I love the name Jenny.
― Anonymous User 9/24/2018
5
Hello. My name is Jenny. I found it difficult to adjust to whilst growing up. It felt horrifically ordinary and plain next to an Abigail, Freya, Elizabeth, etc. Mum says it wasn't popular that she knew of in '75 (eye roll). As I've gotten older it's far less common for someone to merely assume or ask if it's short for Jennifer. Thank goodness. And more often, mum calls me Jenny Rebecca, as she named me after a song made infamous by a Barbara Streisand vinyl released in '65 called, "Jenny Rebecca".Nevertheless, I would so enjoy something "riveting", inordinary; while still retaining my actual name. That's how I stumbled here... trying to find pronunciations in different languages.
Personally, I don’t really love having my name be Jenny. And no, it is not an extension of another name. My classmate made me feel down with my name by saying that apparently all people who have names that end in the letter Y are mischievous, liars and all out the worst. Her best friend is named Jeni and so it’s very annoying. I’ve never felt comfortable with this name and even when I was in elementary school, we had beginning of the year projects that had questions such as “What is your nickname?” and “What do you love most about your name?”. I also don’t have a middle name unlike everybody else in my school so that’s another thing to be bullied about. Honestly, I’m tired of names in general and I’ll leave it to you guys to add your opinions.
To be honest... Jenny is really common in Asian countries. I actually know like 5 Vietnamese Jenny's. Furthermore, there's a Kpop idol in "Black Pink" who is named Jenny.
Jenny Wakeman is the main character of the cartoon My Life as a Teenage Robot. She is a teenage robot who goes to high school and fights crime. (She is designed as a teenager, but was actually built only five years prior to when the series takes place.) Her actual name is XJ9, which her mother, Dr. Wakeman, usually calls her.
Jenny is definitely my favorite name out of all. It might be because I've known some nice girls with that name (one was Jennifer but went by Jenny or Jen, one was just Jenny). Just seeing it gives me positive energy.
I think it's a very beautiful name. People may refer to it as a shorter version of Jennifer but I think Jenny is a name without the reference of the name Jennifer or anything else. I don't think it's overrated and overall, I think it's a cute name.
Jenny Lynn Shimizu is an American model and actress from San Jose, California. While working as a mechanic, Shimizu was approached to model for the Calvin Klein CK1 fragrance ads and model Calvin Klein fashions. She later was featured in the Banana Republic "American Beauty" campaign.
Jenny Ann Mollen is an American actress and New York Times best selling author. She is known for her portrayal of Nina Ash on the television series Angel, and for Return of the Living Dead: Rave to the Grave. She also writes a humorous column for The Smoking Jacket, a website affiliated with Playboy, as well as an advice column for Playboy.
I hate my name Jenny because it's so popular and every single time someone says "Jenny", I automatically think it's not me, but rather another "Jenny" who's more popular, talented, and nicer than me. I'd rather have a unique name that's ugly, like Gertrude, because at least I know someone is talking about me or wants to talk to me.
My middle name is Jennifer and I love it. I really like Jenny as a nickname for Jennifer or Jenna or Jane, as it was originally a nickname for. I think it's feminine and beautiful and I love the sound of it. If I wasn't so attached to my first name, I would want to be called Jenny.
― Anonymous User 1/3/2017
4
Jenny is also a popular name in Finland. It actually was more common than Jenni before being overtaken in the 1960s or the 1970s. Traditionally, Jenny is pronounced YEN-nuy, although sometimes it is used as an unusual spelling for Jenni (YEN-ni).
― Anonymous User 11/30/2016
5
As a German name, it was originally a diminutive of Eugenie and Johanna. Only in the later decades of the 20th century it started being used as a diminutive of Jennifer.
― Anonymous User 7/26/2016
5
Jenny Hiloudaki is a transsexual Greek former model and brothel keeper who regularly attracted the attention of the Greek media. Her affair with a District Attorney caused a national scandal and she has appeared on national television many times.
Ok, guys! Jenny does not come from Jennifer or Jane or whatever you have written here. The origin of the name is from the Greek name Eugene which means a person who is noble and kind. It goes like this: The feminine variant of Eugene is Eugenia or Eugénie. Eugenia in Russian becomes Yevgeny or Jevgeny. The nickname of Jevgeny is Geny or Gene or Genni or Jenni and so on...
I'm Chinese and my name in pinyin is Zhenyu. I don't know why English speakers always pronounce it as Jenny lol. So for convenience I name myself Jenny when abroad.
Zhenyu is merely the Chinese lettered version of spelling Jenny. It’s literally on Google Translate. Though, I can’t actually emotionally complain, only state the fact above, because honestly, that's my situation too because I’m also Chinese.
Hello all! I think this is a beautiful name and I am proud to claim it. I thank my beautiful Mother for giving it to me. My given name is Jenny, although some of my friends call me Jen and I like it. A few call me Jennifer and I'm fine with that too. A few have called me Jenny (in Forest Gump, style) but that's okay too, I just laugh and call them Forest. I have found that as a child, most said it was sweet and endearing and as an adult it seems to work well with my youthful and fun loving attitude toward life. I am sure as I continue to age, it will suit me then as well. ~ Jenny.
Personally probably my favorite girl name. Only competition might be Lucy. Just my two cents though. I hate it when people essentially say "OMG I HATE THE NAME [insert name here] AND YOU SUCK FOR LIKING IT AND I'M GOING TO ENFORCE MY OPINION AND BE A BIGOT AND [RAGE].", but in a slightly less angry way. It's called an opinion for a reason, guys.
The only Jenny I know is a kind, forgiving person, and beautiful as well. Too bad ;C we have gone far, far away from each other. If you know Jenny who had studied in LSTHS please contact me.
I think that Jenny is a wonderfull name. Although it is usually short for Jennifer, my name is short for Jennine. Jenny means a female donkey. I really think it's dumb to say it's a bad name just because you know someone who has the name that's mean.
HATE IT. Gross trashy UGLY! That pretty much sums it up.
― Anonymous User 2/14/2009
-7
This is a good nickname which suits girls and women of all ages. It doesn't sound chavvy like other nicknames, such as Vicky and Debbie.
― Anonymous User 10/31/2008
0
My name is Jenny, just Jenny, no Jennifer and no ie. I love having Jenny as my name, but I get mad when people try calling me Jennifer. I think Jenny sounds nice when put with a longer middle name and a short last name.
This is my name and I think it's a good name because it suits all ages and matures well. It's very cutesy and sweet. However, girls with this name are liable to teasing for the following:"Jenny from the block"- J Lo "Jenny don't be hasty"- Paulo Nutini "They was tryin' to grab you Jenny"- and other quotes from Forrest Gump
― Anonymous User 5/29/2008
3
Jenny Don't Be Hasty is the title of a song off Scottish singer Paolo Nutini's album These Streets.
― Anonymous User 5/17/2008
3
Apparently, I'm outnumbered here, but I've never liked this name. This is just my opinion, which I'm not trying to foist on anyone else here: it's plain, dull, and ordinary. I don't find it pretty at all, especially as a nickname for Jennifer--a name I also dislike. I realize this isn't the best argument for why I hate this name, but as I've held this opinion since I was about six years old it's hard to put into words.
My name is Jayne, which I think is too plain. I love the nickname Jenny, which I go by on a daily basis. When I say Jenny is my name, most people assume my full name is Jennifer. I adore Jennifer, but at least Jenny is a nickname for Jayne.
It's not a bad name, I suppose. Not my style at all, I'd never name my child Jenny. I much prefer 'Jennifer'. I don't know why, it sounds more mature, to me, I suppose. Prettier, less childish. I don't mean to insult anyone, I just kind of felt like stating my opinion.
My grandmother was nicknamed this because her surname was Jennings. It was typically a nickname for Jane before Jennifer became popular. Jenny is much nicer then Jennie or Jen.
― Anonymous User 1/20/2007
3
There is an author named Jenny Carroll.
― Anonymous User 11/28/2006
2
A famous bearer was Swedish coloratura soprano Jenny Lind.
I sometimes go by the nickname Jenny/Jennie for my name Jennifer and everyone I talk to prefers to call me Jenny rather than Jennifer, they say it is such a pretty name and it does work for an adult since I am 35.
― Anonymous User 7/14/2006
4
Actress Robin Wright portrayed the childhood sweetheart of Tom Hank's Forrest Gump in the 1994 film "Forrest Gump". Wright's character was Jenny Curran.
First of all, Jenny is not a awful name, it's actually quite pretty and it's much more refreshing to see "Jenny" rather than "Jennie", or "Jennifer." Second of all, life would be very boring if EVERY girl was named Jenny. Just thought I'd add that in. One of my best friend's nicknames is "Jenny", short for Jennilee, and it suits her wonderfully.
― Anonymous User 2/24/2006
6
Jenny is a character on The L Word, and if you ask me, she's the best one! So because of her I love this name.
Jenny Nyström was an artist and illustrator of children's books. She is famous for popularizing the Swedish Christmas figure jultomten. Her paintings became very popular as Christmas cards.
― Anonymous User 12/20/2005
2
I LOVE the name Jenny. Everyone should name their girl Jenny. It's so pretty, and I'm proud to have this name. I don't know anyone else with the name Jenny. Everyone else called Jenny's real name is Jennifer, not me! My name is just Jenny and I like it and think it's cute, so if you think it's an ugly name, that's YOUR problem, not mine. And I'm not rude and I just don't think it's nice to have your say on a name just because of one person with this name. I hope this helps somebody out!
― Anonymous User 11/30/2005
2
Hmm. You sound like a real idiot right now. It'd be very boring and unoriginal if every girl was named Jenny. People overact too much on this site.Anyway, I guess Jenny is a cool name.
'Everyone should name their kid Jenny'? What if I hate that name? That's YOUR problem, not mine. But really, I'm not too fond of it at all. It sounds boring, and childish to me.
Jenny is a VERY nice name. It is tomboyish and feminime all in one. How does it sound like Pippy Longstockings? And just because one person with the name isn't to your liking it doesn't mean everyone else with this name is awful. Jenny is an easy name to say. It is a pet form of the name Jennifer.
― Anonymous User 11/26/2005
3
Jenny is an awful name. It reminds me of Pippy Longstockings (you know, the ugly girl with the pigtails). Well, she's not really ugly but she does have a bad dress sense.
There's some American accent (northern, I think) that would take Jenny and pronounce it "JEHN-ee", so that it almost sounds like Janey. People with this accent hear "JEN-ee" and think "Ginny" for Virginia.
• https://nl.wiktionary.org/wiki/Jenny (in Dutch)
• https://nl.forvo.com/search/Jenny/nl/ (in Dutch)
• https://youtu.be/C__UkNxyF9M (in Dutch; the name is said at 1:00)
• https://youtu.be/NBgxC0TDot0 (in Dutch; the name is said at 0:43 and 0:57)
• https://youtu.be/YtEVTNeofh8 (in Dutch; the name is said at 0:14)
Converted to IPA, it should be:
• /'jɛ.ni/ (fully Dutch)
• /'d͡ʑɛ.ni/ (based on the English pronunciation) [noted -ed]
Important: the name Jenny was already in use before 1900, so well before the post-war period of WW II, which is when English names gained much greater exposure in the Netherlands. Jenny actually isn't necessarily an imported English name; it was natively used as a diminutive for Jenneke and Jennigje and other related names. However, the spelling Jennie was generally preferred and thus more common.
It goes without saying that /'jɛ.ni/ was the dominant pronunciation before WW II and some time after, as hardly anyone spoke English as a second language back then. As a result, boomers and those remaining of the generation before them will still use that pronunciation. But the younger generations who grew up with the English language will be more inclined to use the English pronunciation, especially millennials and Gen Z.
The situation described above will be slightly less pronounced in contemporary Flanders, as people there are generally more conservative when it comes to linguistic matters like this. In other words: the Dutch pronunciation has a stronger presence there, even among the younger generations.