Jenilee is of American origin, derived from the French 'Geneviève'. It means 'tribe leader' and is a variant spelling of Jennifer. The name gained popularity during the late 20th century, notably influenced by the American actress Jenilee Harrison who rose to fame in the soap opera 'Dallas'. While it's not as widely used today, Jenilee remains a unique and elegant choice for parents seeking an alternative to Jennifer.
The name Jenilee experienced significant popularity from 1981 to 1983 with over 50 births each year, peaking at 192 births in 1982. However, its popularity rapidly declined thereafter, dropping below 50 births per year starting in 1986 and continuing until the end of the recorded data in 2012, with as low as 5 births in certain years.