Holding steady.
Popularity of Gennifer since 1957
Babies named Gennifer per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1982, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gennifer's real moment was 1976.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 10 |
| 1960s | 119 |
| 1970s | 394 |
| 1980s | 364 |
| 1990s | 222 |
| 2000s | 52 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Gennifer is a modern respelling of Jennifer that first appeared on the U.S. naming scene in 1957. Though it has never cracked the top 1000, it experienced a modest peak in 1976, the same decade when Jennifer itself dominated the charts as the number one name. Gennifer's trajectory has remained stable since then, reflecting its status as a niche variant rather than a mainstream choice. The name is not tied to any particular state or region, as it has been used sparsely across the country. Its enduring appeal likely lies in its familiar sound and the distinctive 'G' spelling, which offers a subtle twist on a classic name.
Gennifer is a modern spelling variant of Jennifer, which itself derives from the Cornish form of Guinevere, from the Welsh Gwenhwyfar, meaning 'fair phantom' or 'white spirit'. The variant Gennifer emerged in the mid-20th century as part of a trend of creative respellings of popular names, especially in the United States. It was first recorded in 1957 and saw its peak usage in 1976.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gen, Jen, Genny, Jenny
Sibling names for Gennifer
Names that share Gennifer's style, for a brother or sister.
