Jennifer is a feminine given name of Welsh origin. Its meaning and history are intertwined with those of the Welsh name Guinevere, which was derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar.
Gwenhwyfar is composed of two elements: "gwen", meaning "white" or "fair", and "hwfar", meaning "smooth" or "peaceful". Thus, the name Gwenhwyvere means "white shadow" or "white phantom". In Arthurian legend, Guinevere was the wife of King Arthur and is often referred to as the Queen of the Fairies.
Jennifer is believed to have evolved from Guinevere during the Middle Ages. The change in spelling may have occurred due to a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the original Welsh name. Alternatively, Jennifer could be derived directly from the Cornish form of the name, which was Jeniver.
Over time, Jennifer has become a popular given name in English-speaking countries. It gained prominence during the late 20th century and remained one of the top names for girls throughout much of that period. Today, Jennifer continues to be widely used as a feminine name, with many people bearing this name contributing to its enduring popularity.
In summary, Jennifer is a Welsh name that evolved from Guinevere or Jeniver over time. Its meaning can be interpreted as "white shadow" or "white phantom", reflecting the fair and peaceful qualities associated with the original Welsh name Gwenhwyfar. Despite its origin and history, Jennifer is not directly linked to specific festivals or character traits associated with people bearing this name. Instead, it stands as a unique and beloved feminine given name with a rich historical background.
Jennifer was a popular name for girls born in the United States between 1965 and 1988. The name first appeared in the top 1000 names list in 1965, with eight babies being named Jennifer that year.
The popularity of the name grew steadily over the next few years, reaching a peak in 1972 when 21 girls were named Jennifer. This trend continued into the early 1970s, with the number of girls named Jennifer remaining high throughout this period.
However, after 1975, the popularity of the name began to decline. While still popular, the number of babies named Jennifer dropped from a peak of 23 in 1974 to just seven in 1977. This downward trend continued through the late 1970s and early 1980s, with the number of girls named Jennifer hovering around ten per year.
Despite this decline, Jennifer remained a popular name throughout the 1980s. Between 1984 and 1988, the number of babies named Jennifer ranged from nine to fifteen per year, indicating that it was still a well-liked choice among parents during this time period.
Overall, between 1965 and 1988, there were a total of 265 girls born in the United States who were named Jennifer. This name has since continued to be popular among parents, with its popularity ebbing and flowing over the years. However, it remains one of the most iconic names of the baby boom generation.