Holding steady.
Popularity of Jannifer since 1944
Babies named Jannifer per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 56 |
| 1950s | 124 |
| 1960s | 207 |
| 1970s | 219 |
| 1980s | 193 |
| 1990s | 51 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Jannifer is a rare spelling variant of Jennifer, a name that has seen widespread use. First recorded in 1944, Jannifer reached its peak in 1981 and has since remained stable but uncommon. It has never appeared in the top 1000 rankings, with an estimated one-in-N rate too low to calculate. The name's trajectory is stable, suggesting consistent but minimal usage over the decades. While Jennifer dominated the 1970s and 1980s, Jannifer represents a distinctive alternative for parents seeking a familiar sound with a unique spelling. Its origins tie it to the Welsh Gwenhwyfar, though the 'a' spelling is a modern English innovation.
Jannifer is a minor variant of Jennifer, itself the English form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar. The first element 'gwen' means 'white, fair, blessed', and the second 'hwyfar' means 'smooth, soft' or possibly 'phantom, fairy'. Jennifer was rare until the 20th century but surged in popularity in the mid-1900s, while Jannifer remains an uncommon spelling variation.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Jannifer
Names that share Jannifer's style, for a brother or sister.
