Jennifer is a popular given name of Welsh origin. It is derived from the masculine Welsh name Gwynfor, which means "white peak" or "snowy peak". The name Jennifer has been traditionally associated with Wales, but it has gained widespread popularity around the world.
The name Jennifer first appeared in the United States in the late 1930s, but it did not become popular until the 1940s. During this time, several high-profile individuals named Jennifer helped to bring attention to the name. For example, Jennifer Jones, a Hollywood actress, won an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1943.
In the following decades, Jennifer continued to gain popularity as a given name. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Jennifer was one of the top ten most popular names for girls in the United States throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It reached its peak popularity in 1974, when it was the second most popular name for girls that year.
Today, Jennifer remains a popular given name around the world. While its origins are rooted in Wales, its meaning of "white peak" or "snowy peak" has been interpreted differently by people over time. Some associate it with qualities such as purity, beauty, and strength, while others simply appreciate its sound and rhythm.
Overall, Jennifer is a name that has stood the test of time, with its popularity ebbing and flowing over decades but always remaining a beloved choice for parents around the world. Its Welsh origins and timeless meaning make it a classic choice that continues to appeal to many families today.
The name Jennifer has a fascinating history when it comes to its usage in the United States. Over the span of nearly a century, from 1933 to 2023, there have been significant fluctuations in the number of births recorded with this name.
In the early years, the name Jennifer was quite uncommon. Between 1933 and 1947, the number of babies named Jennifer each year remained consistently low, with a maximum of just 68 births in 1948. However, starting from 1956, there was a notable increase in the popularity of this name.
The 1950s and 1960s marked a significant turning point for Jennifer. The number of newborn girls named Jennifer began to rise steadily, reaching over 200 births per year by the late 1950s. This trend continued into the 1960s, with the highest numbers recorded in the early years of that decade, peaking at 487 births in 1968.
The popularity of Jennifer reached its zenith in the 1970s and early 1980s. During this period, the number of newborn girls named Jennifer was consistently high, ranging from a low of 647 births in 1983 to a peak of 923 births in 1974. This decade-long period saw more babies being named Jennifer than any other time in history.
However, the late 1980s and early 1990s marked another turning point for Jennifer's popularity. Although it remained relatively common, with an average of around 350 births per year, it began to decline significantly after that point.
By the late 1990s and into the 2000s, the name Jennifer had lost much of its former cachet. The number of newborn girls named Jennifer continued to decrease steadily each year, from a high of 355 births in 1999 down to just 74 births in 2011.
The trend has continued into the 21st century. Between 2011 and 2023, there have been fewer than 100 newborn girls named Jennifer each year, with the lowest point being just 12 births recorded in 2023.
Overall, over the course of nearly a century, Jennifer has had its ups and downs in popularity. From humble beginnings in the early years, it rose to prominence in the mid-20th century before experiencing a gradual decline from the late 1980s onwards. Today, while still occasionally used, Jennifer is far less popular than it was during its heyday.
Despite these fluctuations in popularity, Jennifer remains a name with rich historical significance in the United States. Its story offers a fascinating glimpse into changing cultural trends and societal influences over time.