A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Jenaro since 1919
Babies named Jenaro per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1991, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Jenaro's real moment was 1929.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 6 |
| 1920s | 34 |
| 1930s | 25 |
| 1940s | 20 |
| 1950s | 59 |
| 1960s | 47 |
| 1970s | 96 |
| 1980s | 98 |
| 1990s | 99 |
| 2000s | 106 |
| 2010s | 54 |
| 2020s | 40 |
Meaning & origin
Jenaro is a Spanish variant of the Italian name Gennaro, itself derived from the Latin Ianuarius, referencing the month of January. The name has been in use in the United States since at least 1919, when it first appeared in Social Security records. Its peak popularity came in 1929, when it ranked highest among recorded years. After decades of decline, the name has shown a slight upward trend since 2019, possibly reflecting a revival of interest in vintage Spanish names. Despite its long history, Jenaro remains extremely uncommon, with only 1 in 189,786 boys receiving the name in 2025. Its rarity gives it a distinctive feel, and its connection to the revered Saint Januarius (San Gennaro) lends it cultural and religious resonance, especially within Italian and Spanish communities.
Jenaro is a Spanish and Italian variant of Genaro, which ultimately derives from the Latin Ianuarius, the name of the first month of the Roman calendar. The month was named after Janus, the two-faced god of doorways and beginnings. The name was borne by several early saints, most notably Saint Januarius (San Gennaro), the patron saint of Naples. In Spanish-speaking cultures, Jenaro has been used as a given name since at least the early 20th century, though it remains relatively rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jen, Jeni, Naro
Sibling names for Jenaro
Names that share Jenaro's style, for a brother or sister.
