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If you want a baby name that is classic, beautiful, and once extremely popular, Jennifer is a great choice. The name has a soft sound, a lovely meaning, and a long history connected to ancient legends.

This guide explains everything you need to know about the name Jennifer — meaning, origin, popularity, variations, nicknames, sibling name ideas, and famous personalities who share the name.

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Meaning of the Name Jennifer

The name Jennifer comes from the old Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, which also inspired the famous name Guinevere.

Meaning:

• “Fair one”
  
• “Blessed spirit”
  
• “White enchantress”
  

These meanings link the name to beauty, purity, and magic in old stories.

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Origin of the Name Jennifer

The name began from ancient Celtic and Welsh traditions.

How the name evolved:

1. Original Welsh name: Gwenhwyfar
   
2. Became Guinevere in English stories
   
3. Later changed in Cornwall to Gwennever
   
4. Eventually became the modern English form: Jennifer
   

So Jennifer is actually a modern version of Queen Guinevere, the legendary queen of King Arthur.

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Gender

Jennifer is traditionally a girl’s name, though a few boys have also been given the name.

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Pronunciation

JEN-uh-fer

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How Popular Is the Name Jennifer?

Jennifer was one of the most popular baby girl names in the world, especially in the United States.

Popularity history:

• #1 most popular girl name in the U.S. from 1970 to 1984
  
• Top 10 from 1966 to 1991
  
• Top 100 until 2009
  

The rise of the name began around the 1930s after a character named Jennifer appeared in the play The Doctor’s Dilemma by George Bernard Shaw.

Today, the name is less common but still loved.
In 2024, Jennifer ranked #547 in the U.S.

This means Jennifer is now a beautiful classic — not too common, but still well known.

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Name Variations of Jennifer

Some parents like to use different spellings:

• Jenifer
  
• Jennefer
  
• Jennipher
  

International forms:

• Dzsenifer (Hungarian)
  
• Ginebra (Spanish)
  
• Ginevra (Italian)
  
• Ginewra (Polish)
  
• Guenièvre (French)
  
• Xenevra (Galician)
  

These versions keep the same meaning with slightly different pronunciations.

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Similar Names to Jennifer

If you like the sound of Jennifer, here are some similar names:

Names created from “Jen”:

• Jenibeth (Jen + Elizabeth)
  
• Jenilee (Jen + Lee)
  
• Jenilyn (Jen + Lynn)
  

Other classic “J” names:

• Jade
  
• Jane
  
• Janet
  
• Jasmine
  
• Jessica
  
• Josie
  
• Joy
  
• Juliana
  
• Juliette
  

Names popular in the 80s like Jennifer:

• Amanda
  
• Ashley
  
• Heather
  
• Kimberly
  
• Megan
  
• Melissa
  
• Nicole
  
• Stephanie
  

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Nicknames for Jennifer

Jennifer offers many adorable and simple nicknames:

• Jen
  
• Jenna
  
• Jenny
  
• Jennie
  
• Jenni
  
• Jeni
  

Short, sweet, and easy for a child to use.

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Suggested Sibling Names

If you are thinking about names that sound good with Jennifer, here are some matching ideas:

Girl Siblings:

• Amber
  
• Brittany
  
• Laura
  
• Samantha
  

Boy Siblings:

• Brandon
  
• Daniel
  
• John
  
• Joseph
  
• Matthew
  

These names sound balanced when paired with Jennifer.

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Famous People Named Jennifer

The name Jennifer has been worn by many popular and talented women around the world:

Actors & Entertainers

• Jennifer Aniston – Famous for Friends
  
• Jennifer Beals – Known for Flashdance
  
• Jennifer Connelly – Academy Award winner
  
• Jennifer Coolidge – Known for Legally Blonde
  
• Jennifer Garner – Star of Alias
  
• Jennifer Grey – Famous for Dirty Dancing
  
• Jennifer Love Hewitt – Known for I Know What You Did Last Summer
  
• Jennifer Jason Leigh – Known for Fast Times at Ridgemont High
  
• Jennifer Lopez (J.Lo) – Actress, singer, dancer
  
• Jennifer Lawrence – Oscar-winning actress from The Hunger Games
  

Scientists & Leaders

• Jennifer Doudna – Nobel Prize winner in chemistry
  
• Jennifer Granholm – U.S. Secretary of Energy
  

Writers & Journalists

• Jennifer Lynch – Film director
  
• Jennifer Rubin – Washington Post columnist
  
• Jennifer Psaki – Former White House press secretary
  

The list shows how strong, talented, and successful many Jennifers are.

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Why Parents Still Love the Name Jennifer

Even though it’s not as popular as before, parents choose Jennifer because:

• It sounds warm and friendly
  
• It has a rich historical meaning
  
• It works well in any culture
  
• It offers many nickname options
  
• It feels classic and timeless
  

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Conclusion

Jennifer is a beautiful name with a magical past, a powerful meaning, and a long history of popularity. Whether you prefer the classic sound or the modern nicknames, Jennifer is a lovely choice for any baby girl.