Jennifer is a female given name of Welsh origin. It is derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, which means "white wave" or "fair curl". The name was popularized by the character of Jennifer Jones in the 1943 film "Since You Went Away".
The name Jennifer gained significant popularity during the 20th century, particularly in the United States and England. It peaked at number one on the list of most popular names for girls in both countries during the 1970s.
Historically, the name has been associated with notable figures such as Welsh poet Gwenhwyfar Davies (1890-1968), American actress Jennifer Jones (1919-2009), and Canadian singer-songwriter Jennifer Warnes (born 1947). However, it is important to note that the popularity of the name cannot be solely attributed to these individuals.
In literature, the name Jennifer has been used as a character's name in works such as Dodie Smith's novel "I Capture the Castle" and J.D. Salinger's novella "Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters". These uses further contributed to its popularity during the mid-20th century.
Today, Jennifer remains a popular choice for parents naming their daughters, although it has slipped from its peak ranking in recent years. It is often shortened or spelled creatively as Jenni, Jenny, Gennifer, or even Ginny. Despite these variations, the name continues to evoke images of fairness and beauty, reflecting its original meaning and Welsh origins.
According to U.S. birth records, the name Jennifer experienced a slight increase in popularity during the late 1970s. In 1975, there were 6 births with the name Jennifer, and this number grew by one the following year in 1977, with a total of 7 births recorded that year. Altogether, between these two years, there were 13 babies named Jennifer born in the United States. This data suggests that while Jennifer was not one of the most popular names during this period, it still held some level of popularity and consistently remained within the naming landscape of the time.