A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Jenine since 1932
Babies named Jenine per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 41 |
| 1940s | 68 |
| 1950s | 258 |
| 1960s | 505 |
| 1970s | 659 |
| 1980s | 415 |
| 1990s | 174 |
| 2000s | 90 |
| 2010s | 41 |
| 2020s | 12 |
Meaning & origin
Jenine emerged as a distinctive spelling variant of Janine in the mid-20th century, fitting a pattern of feminine names ending in '-ine' that were popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The name reached its highest usage in 1971, when it ranked in the top 10,000 and was given to more than 100 baby girls in a single year. After a period of decline, Jenine has shown a modest resurgence since 2022, with 98 births recorded in 2025, reversing decades of diminished usage. While it has never been among the most common names nationally, its peak in the 1970s and recent revival suggest it has maintained a steady if niche appeal among parents seeking a familiar yet uncommon choice.
Jenine is a modern English variant of Janine, itself a feminine form of John, derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning 'God is gracious'. The spelling with 'J' and '-ine' suffix became popular in the mid-20th century, especially in the United States, reflecting a trend of creating soft-sounding feminine variants.
“Jenine” around the world
Where Jenine lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jen, Nina
Sibling names for Jenine
Names that share Jenine's style, for a brother or sister.
