Jennifer
Jennifer is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
White phantom, fair one, or blessed spirit.
Origin and history
Jennifer derives from the Cornish name Gwenhwyfar, which translates to 'white phantom' or 'fair one'. While overwhelmingly used for females in modern history, it has seen occasional recorded use for males in the United States. Its usage for boys peaked in the mid-20th century but is virtually unheard of today.
Popularity in the United States
4,837 babies in the United States have been named Jennifer since 1880. It ranks #1761 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- CA (22.5 %)
- NY (12 %)
- TX (10.8 %)
- PA (6.9 %)
- IL (6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 6 |
| 1950-1960 | 84 |
| 1960-1970 | 444 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,920 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,683 |
| 1990-2000 | 486 |
| 2000-2010 | 185 |
| 2010-2019 | 29 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Jen, Jenny, Jenn
Fun facts
- Jennifer is the Cornish variant of Guinevere, the legendary queen of King Arthur.
- Over 4,000 males in the U.S. have been named Jennifer since official birth tracking began in 1880.