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Jennifer

“Variant of Guinevere — White phantom, fair spirit” — Welsh Gwenhwyfar, from Proto-Brythonic gwynn 'white' + a word for spirit origin

Girl's name · #586 in the US (2025) · Retro

Jennifer was #1 back in 1970, spent 15 years as America's #1 name, and stands at #586 today. About 1.5 million girls have carried it since 1919. Jennifer's short forms are Jenny, Jennie, Jenna, Jen, and Jenn. A popular twin pairing with Jennifer is Jessica for a girl.

Around the world: about 1 in 2,300 girls in Ireland (2025) · about 1 in 3,700 girls in Canada (2024) · about 1 in 4,300 girls in England & Wales (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 34 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Jennifers

• Jennifer Lopez — American singer and actress (born 1969)
• Jennifer Aniston — American actress (born 1969)
• Jennifer Lawrence — American actress and producer (born 1990)
• Jennifer Connelly — American actress (born 1970)
• Jennifer Garner — American actress

In stories & tradition

• Jennifer Melfi — The Sopranos
• Jennifer (Jade) — Green Lantern
• Jennifer Keller — Stargate Atlantis

What Jennifers become

Among 3,742 notable people named Jennifer:

Scientists & scholars appear 1.31× more often than among typical names — e.g. Jennifer Doudna, American biochemist.

Similar names: Juniper · Melissa · Jenny · Kelly · Leslie · Bridget

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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