Jennifer
From Cornish Gweniver, from Middle Cornish Gwynnever (cognate with Welsh Gwenhwyfar), from Proto-Brythonic *Gwɨnnohuɨβar.
Every Jennifer since 1919 — 1,476,540 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Jennifer
Jennifer is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #586 in 2025 with 501 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1919, 1,476,540 American babies have been named Jennifer. Its peak came in 1972, when 63,790 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Jennifer stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Jennifer year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 501 | #586 | — | — |
| 2024 | 556 | #544 | — | — |
| 2023 | 586 | #520 | — | — |
| 2022 | 630 | #501 | — | — |
| 2021 | 638 | #494 | — | — |
| 2020 | 713 | #431 | — | — |
| 2019 | 788 | #391 | — | — |
| 2018 | 921 | #344 | — | — |
| 2017 | 1,052 | #309 | — | — |
| 2016 | 1,162 | #272 | 6 | #11,335 |
| 2015 | 1,286 | #251 | — | — |
| 2014 | 1,521 | #222 | 6 | #11,350 |
| 2013 | 1,692 | #192 | — | — |
| 2012 | 1,928 | #164 | 5 | #13,118 |
| 2011 | 2,281 | #134 | 6 | #11,475 |
| 2010 | 2,622 | #121 | 6 | #11,386 |
| 2009 | 2,987 | #110 | 5 | #13,341 |
| 2008 | 3,797 | #84 | 15 | #5,904 |
| 2007 | 4,653 | #64 | 7 | #10,278 |
| 2006 | 5,268 | #51 | 17 | #5,178 |
| 2005 | 5,837 | #42 | 15 | #5,413 |
| 2004 | 6,545 | #39 | 23 | #3,932 |
| 2003 | 7,569 | #31 | 18 | #4,516 |
| 2002 | 8,540 | #28 | 27 | #3,301 |
| 2001 | 8,923 | #26 | 26 | #3,363 |
| 2000 | 9,390 | #26 | 32 | #2,837 |
| 1995 | 12,683 | #18 | 55 | #1,659 |
| 1990 | 22,236 | #8 | 87 | #1,168 |
| 1985 | 42,661 | #3 | 161 | #694 |
| 1980 | 58,374 | #1 | 211 | #599 |
| 1975 | 58,190 | #1 | 225 | #534 |
| 1970 | 46,150 | #1 | 119 | #754 |
| 1965 | 15,207 | #20 | 34 | #1,326 |
| 1960 | 7,243 | #61 | 13 | #2,370 |
| 1955 | 4,123 | #104 | — | — |
| 1950 | 2,802 | #118 | 8 | #2,891 |
| 1945 | 985 | #200 | — | — |
| 1940 | 102 | #689 | — | — |
| 1935 | 36 | #1,190 | — | — |
| 1930 | 17 | #2,063 | — | — |
| 1925 | 9 | #3,506 | — | — |
| 1920 | 7 | #4,172 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Jennifer
- Jennifer Lopez Singer · b. 1969
- Jennifer Aniston Actor · b. 1969
- Jennifer Connelly Actor · b. 1970
- Jennifer Grey Actor · b. 1960
- Jennifer Jones Actor · 1919–2009
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jennifer mean?
From Cornish Gweniver, from Middle Cornish Gwynnever (cognate with Welsh Gwenhwyfar), from Proto-Brythonic *Gwɨnnohuɨβar.
How popular is the name Jennifer in 2025?
Jennifer ranked #586 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 501 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Jennifer?
1,476,540 babies have been named Jennifer in the United States since 1919, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Jennifer most popular?
Jennifer peaked in 1972, when 63,790 newborns received the name.
Is Jennifer a boy or girl name?
Jennifer is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Jennifer rising or falling?
Jennifer is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Jennifer?
Well-known people named Jennifer include Jennifer Lopez (singer), Jennifer Aniston (actor), Jennifer Connelly (actor).