Jennifer is a feminine given name of Welsh origin. It is derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, which is composed of two elements: "gwen" meaning white or fair, and "hwyfar" meaning smooth or peaceful. Thus, Jennifer can be interpreted as meaning "white wave" or "fair and smooth." The name was popularized in the English-speaking world through the character of Jennifer Hofland in the novel "Jennifer" by Kathleen Winsor, published in 1937.
The name Jennifer gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries. It was among the top ten most popular names for girls in several years during this period. Today, Jennifer remains a widely recognized and commonly used name, although its popularity has somewhat decreased since the height of its trend.
There are several variations and derivative forms of the name Jennifer, including Jenifer, Jenny, Jenna, Jenni, Gennifer, Janifer, and Janine. Some famous individuals with the name Jennifer include American actresses Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lawrence, British singer-songwriter Jennifer Saunders, and American tennis player Jennifer Capriati.
In summary, Jennifer is a feminine given name of Welsh origin that means "white wave" or "fair and smooth." It gained popularity through a novel published in 1937 and remains widely recognized today. There are several variations and derivative forms of the name, and it has been borne by numerous notable individuals throughout history.
The statistics for the given name Jennifer in the United States from 1957 to 1993 show a significant trend over time.
In the early years, the number of babies named Jennifer was quite low, with only five births recorded in 1957. However, by 1968, there were already 14 babies named Jennifer born that year, indicating an increase in popularity for this name.
The peak of Jennifer's popularity came between 1970 and 1975, with the highest number of births recorded at 38 in 1975. This period saw a significant rise in the use of this name, suggesting it was highly fashionable during these years.
However, after reaching its peak, the popularity of Jennifer began to decline steadily from 1976 onwards. By 1985, there were only 12 births recorded for girls named Jennifer, marking a substantial drop from the previous decade's numbers.
From 1986 until 1993, the number of babies named Jennifer remained relatively low, with an average of around seven births per year during this period. This decline indicates that while once highly popular, by the late 1980s and early 1990s, Jennifer was no longer a top choice for parents naming their daughters.
Overall, over these three decades (1957-1993), there were a total of 506 babies born in the United States named Jennifer. These statistics demonstrate how trends in baby names can change dramatically over time, with periods of significant popularity followed by declines in usage.