Jennifer is a name of Welsh origin, derived from the elements "Gwen" meaning fair or white, and "hwyfar" which means smooth or peaceful. The name was originally used as a surname before becoming popular as a given name in the Middle Ages.
The most famous bearer of the name Jennifer was undoubtedly the 6th-century Welsh king, Jenner of Brycheiniog. However, it is believed that the name has been in use since at least the 12th century, when it appears in the works of the Welsh poet, Gwenallt ap Einion.
In literature, the name Jennifer has been popularized by several notable characters, including Jennifer Hope-Haight in P.G. Wodehouse's Jeeves series and Jennifer "Jenny" Curran in Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Today, Jennifer remains a popular given name for girls, often spelled without the final "n". According to data from the Social Security Administration, it was the second most popular name for newborn girls in the United States during the 1970s and has remained among the top 100 names since then.
The name Jennifer has a rich history in the United States, with its popularity ebbing and flowing over the decades. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the name was just starting to gain traction, with five babies named Jennifer in 1968 and ten in 1969. However, it was not until 1975 that the name truly began to take off, with thirteen girls being named Jennifer that year.
The popularity of the name continued to grow throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, peaking at eighteen births in 1985. This was a significant increase from just five births twenty-seven years prior. After this peak, the number of babies named Jennifer began to decline steadily, reaching a low of six births in both 1989 and 1993.
Overall, between 1968 and 1993, there were a total of 247 girls named Jennifer born in the United States. This name has clearly had a significant impact on American culture, with its popularity fluctuating over time but ultimately leaving a lasting impression.