Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Jenna
GirlEnglish, Cornish· “variant of Jennifer, 'fair one'”
- Meaning
- variant of Jennifer, 'fair one'
- Origin
- English, Cornish
- Pronunciation
- JEN-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #679
- US babies 2025
- 418
- Best rank
- #45 (2001)
- Peak year
- 1985
Meaning and origin of Jenna
Jenna is an English and Cornish name that is usually said to mean “variant of Jennifer, 'fair one'”.
Jenna began as a variant of Jenny or a short form of Jennifer. Jennifer is the Cornish form of Guinevere, from the Welsh Gwenhwyfar, which is usually interpreted as fair or white and smooth. Guinevere was the queen of King Arthur in medieval legend, which gives Jenna a distant romantic pedigree. Jenna became especially popular in the late twentieth century and still feels friendly and uncomplicated. It is sometimes also linked to the Arabic Jannah, meaning garden or paradise, which is a separate name. Jen is the classic nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Gena, Genna.
Popularity over time
Jenna first appears in US Social Security records in 1915. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 55 different years, starting in 1971. Its best national rank was #45 in 2001, and the most babies received it in 1985, when 6,436 were named Jenna. In 2025, 418 babies were named Jenna, and it ranked #679 nationally. That is 62% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,220 in 1920, #2,155 in 1950, #238 in 1980, #63 in 2000, #141 in 2010, and #679 in 2025. Of the 148,587 US girls named Jenna since records began, 31% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 45,296 babies. Since 2010, 15,317 more have been named Jenna.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Krystal, Kristina, Vanessa, Alicia, and Latoya.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jenna ranked highest in Michigan, Arkansas, and Indiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | #287 | 31 |
| Arkansas | #401 | 8 |
| Indiana | #432 | 16 |
| Missouri | #457 | 13 |
| Massachusetts | #459 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Jenna is usually pronounced JEN-uh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with J and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Gena and Genna.
Middle names for Jenna
A few middle names that flow with Jenna: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jenna
Similar names
Leanna Girl
lee-AN-uh
“blend of Lee and Anna” · American (modern coinage)
#890
Lana Girl
LAH-nuh
“short form of Alana or Svetlana” · English
#406
Danna Girl
DAH-nuh
“variant of Dana; origin uncertain” · Spanish
#394
Dana Girl
DAY-nuh
“uncertain; several possible origins” · English
#1,027
Gina Girl
JEE-nuh
“short form of Regina or Georgina” · Italian
#2,085
Tina Girl
TEE-nuh
“short form of names ending in -tina” · English
#2,815
Dayna Girl
DAY-nuh
“variant of Dana” · English
#6,604
Mena Girl
MEE-nuh
“variant of Mina” · German
#6,257
Shanna Girl
SHA-nuh
“variant of Shannon, or of Shana” · Irish
#12,982
Ana Girl
AH-nuh
“grace, favor (form of Anna)” · Spanish
#245
Briana Girl
bree-AH-nuh
“possibly high, noble” · Irish
#661
Nina Girl
NEE-nuh
“short form of names like Antonina” · Russian
#324
Lists that include Jenna
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jenna mean?
Jenna is an English and Cornish name that is usually said to mean “variant of Jennifer, 'fair one'”.
What is the origin of the name Jenna?
Jenna has English, Cornish, and Welsh roots. Jenna began as a variant of Jenny or a short form of Jennifer.
Is Jenna a popular name?
Yes. Jenna ranked #679 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Jenna a boy or girl name?
Jenna is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Jenna?
Jenna is usually pronounced JEN-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings