Jennifer is a popular given name of English origin that has gained prominence worldwide over the years. It is derived from the Welsh name Guinevere, which is composed of the elements "gueni" meaning fair or white and "gwen" meaning joy or bliss. Therefore, Jennifer can be interpreted to mean "fair and joyful," suggesting a pleasant and charming individual.
The name Guinevere was originally associated with Queen Guinevere, the wife of King Arthur in the legendary tales of Camelot. However, it was not commonly used as a given name until the late 1930s when American actress Jennifer Jones rose to fame. Her successful film career popularized the name Jennifer, and it became increasingly popular among parents during the 1940s and 1950s.
Throughout the decades, Jennifer has maintained its status as one of the most popular names for girls in various English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Jennifer was consistently among the top ten most popular names for girls between 1970 and 2007.
The popularity of Jennifer has also extended beyond the English-speaking world, with notable bearers of this name found in countries like Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and even Japan. Some famous individuals named Jennifer include American actresses Jennifer Lawrence and Jennifer Aniston, Canadian singer-songwriter Jennifer Hawkins, and British model and TV personality Jennifer Ellison.
In summary, the name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and carries a positive meaning of "fair and joyful." Its popularity can be attributed to the successful career of actress Jennifer Jones during the mid-20th century. Today, it remains one of the most widely recognized and beloved names for girls around the world.
The name Jennifer experienced significant popularity and growth over time, with a steady increase from the 1940s onwards. Peak years for Jennifer births were 1968 with 26,852 births and 1972 with 63,605 births. However, since the late 1970s, the popularity of the name has significantly decreased. In recent years, fewer than 1,000 babies named Jennifer are born annually, reaching an all-time low of 583 births in 2023. Overall, there have been a total of 1,470,608 births with the name Jennifer since these records began.