Jennifer
Peaked at #1 nationally in 1970, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1919, Jennifer has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Jennifer is a Cornish variant of Guinevere, from the Welsh "Gwenhwyfar," meaning "white" or "fair one." It stayed largely confined to Cornwall for centuries before spreading into wider English use in the early 20th century, then rising sharply in the United States after mid-century, popularized in part through film and television.
Notable people & culture
The name became closely associated with Hollywood through actresses Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jennifer Garner, as well as singer and actress Jennifer Lopez. It is often shortened to Jen or Jenny.
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Jennifer — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#1
in 1970
Current rank
#547
in 2024
Years tracked
106
1919–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1919, Jennifer reached its peak popularity for girls in 1970, ranking #1 nationally with 46,150 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #222 (2014) to #547 (2024) — a 59% drop.
As of 2024, Jennifer ranks #547 nationally for girls, with 552 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #547 | 552 |
| 2023 | #521 | 584 |
| 2022 | #501 | 630 |
| 2021 | #494 | 638 |
| 2020 | #431 | 712 |
| 2019 | #391 | 788 |
| 2018 | #344 | 921 |
| 2017 | #309 | 1,052 |
Jennifer — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#530
in 1973
Last ranked
#11333
in 2016
Years tracked
65
1946–2016
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1946, Jennifer reached its peak popularity for boys in 1973, ranking #530 nationally with 220 babies given the name that year.
Jennifer hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 2016, when it stood at #11333.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | #11,333 | 6 |
| 2014 | #11,349 | 6 |
| 2012 | #13,115 | 5 |
| 2011 | #11,472 | 6 |
| 2010 | #11,384 | 6 |
| 2009 | #13,338 | 5 |
| 2008 | #5,904 | 15 |
| 2007 | #10,278 | 7 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Jennifer most popular?
Jennifer was most popular in 1970, when it ranked #1 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Jennifer becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Jennifer?
At least 1,476,028 babies have been recorded with the name Jennifer in the US since 1919, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Jennifer? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.