Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Jennifer
GirlCornish, Welsh· “fair and smooth”
- Meaning
- fair and smooth
- Origin
- Cornish, Welsh
- Pronunciation
- JEH-nuh-fur
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #586
- US babies 2025
- 501
- Best rank
- #1 (1970)
- Peak year
- 1972
Meaning and origin of Jennifer
Jennifer is a Cornish and Welsh name that is usually said to mean “fair and smooth”.
Jennifer is the Cornish form of Guinevere, the name of King Arthur's queen. The original Welsh name, Gwenhwyfar, is usually explained as gwen, "fair, white," combined with a second element often taken to mean "smooth" or "phantom," though the exact reading is debated. For centuries Jennifer was a regional name in Cornwall, but it became widely used in the twentieth century, helped by George Bernard Shaw's play The Doctor's Dilemma, whose heroine is Jennifer Dubedat. It became one of the most popular names in the United States in the late twentieth century. Jen, Jenny and Jenna are familiar short forms.
Popularity over time
Jennifer first appears in US Social Security records in 1919. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 88 different years, starting in 1938. Its best national rank was #1 in 1970, and the most babies received it in 1972, when 63,600 were named Jennifer. In 2025, 501 babies were named Jennifer, and it ranked #586 nationally. That is 61% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,172 in 1920, #118 in 1950, #1 in 1980, #26 in 2000, #121 in 2010, and #586 in 2025. Of the 1,471,703 US girls named Jennifer since records began, 40% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 440,914 babies. Since 2010, 18,877 more have been named Jennifer.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Angela.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jennifer ranked highest in South Carolina, Nevada, and Indiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | #389 | 13 |
| Nevada | #395 | 7 |
| Indiana | #400 | 17 |
| California | #446 | 75 |
| Kansas | #472 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Jennifer is usually pronounced JEH-nuh-fur, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with J and ends in “-er”.
Middle names for Jennifer
A few middle names that flow with Jennifer: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jennifer
Similar names
Sabrina Girl
suh-BREE-nuh
“from the Latin name of the River Severn” · Latin
#321
Gwendolyn Girl
GWEHN-duh-lihn
“fair or blessed ring” · Welsh
#360
Meredith Girl
MEH-rih-dihth
“great lord” · Welsh
#469
Summer Girl
SUH-mur
“the season of summer” · English
#152
Amber Girl
AM-ber
“amber, fossil resin” · English
#520
Juniper Girl
JOO-nih-pur
“juniper shrub” · English
#100
Chandler Unisex
CHAND-lur
“candle maker” · English
#753
Elowyn Girl
EL-oh-win
“modern form of Cornish Elowen, elm” · Cornish
#299
Guinevere Girl
GWIH-nuh-veer
“fair and smooth” · Welsh
#899
Winifred Girl
WIN-uh-frid
“blessed reconciliation; friend of peace” · Welsh
#923
Elowen Girl
EH-loh-ehn
“elm tree” · Cornish
#798
Parker Unisex
PAHR-kur
“park keeper” · English
#102
Lists that include Jennifer
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jennifer mean?
Jennifer is a Cornish and Welsh name that is usually said to mean “fair and smooth”.
What is the origin of the name Jennifer?
Jennifer has Cornish and Welsh roots. Jennifer is the Cornish form of Guinevere, the name of King Arthur's queen.
Is Jennifer a popular name?
Yes. Jennifer ranked #586 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Jennifer a boy or girl name?
Jennifer is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Jennifer?
Jennifer is usually pronounced JEH-nuh-fur. 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