Jenna
Jenna is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
White wave, fair one, or God is gracious.
Origin and history
Jenna originated as a familiar diminutive of Jennifer and standard variation of Jane, both drawing from Cornish, Welsh, and Hebrew roots. It surged in U.S. popularity during the late 20th century, becoming a widely recognized independent given name. Today, it remains a classic, accessible choice for American parents.
Popularity in the United States
148,587 babies in the United States have been named Jenna since 1880. It ranks #270 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #609.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.7 %)
- NY (7.9 %)
- PA (6.1 %)
- OH (5.6 %)
- TX (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 26 |
| 1920-1930 | 70 |
| 1930-1940 | 159 |
| 1940-1950 | 155 |
| 1950-1960 | 265 |
| 1960-1970 | 618 |
| 1970-1980 | 4,224 |
| 1980-1990 | 36,601 |
| 1990-2000 | 45,856 |
| 2000-2010 | 45,296 |
| 2010-2019 | 12,485 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,832 |
Famous people named Jenna
- Jenna Fischer: Actress, Author
- Jenna Ortega: Actress
- Jenna Bush Hager: Journalist, Author
Nicknames
Jen, Jenny
Fun facts
- Jenna reached its peak popularity in the United States during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
- The name gained momentum in U.S. culture partly through high-profile television characters in the 1980s and 2000s.