Jennet

Meaning & origin

Jennet is a rare English name that has never ranked in the U.S. top 1000. Its recorded use dates back to 1920, though it was likely used earlier. The name reached a minor peak in 1975, but has remained extremely uncommon, with a stable trajectory in recent years. Jennet is a medieval diminutive of Janet or Jeanne, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious'. It belongs to a class of diminutive forms that were common in Middle English, often ending in -et or -ot. Despite its rarity, Jennet carries a classic, old-fashioned charm that appeals to parents seeking a distinctive name with historic roots. The name has no strong association with any specific U.S. state, as its usage has been too sparse to generate top state data.

Jennet is a medieval English diminutive of Janet or Jeanne, ultimately from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious'. It was particularly common in the 16th-17th centuries and sometimes used as a variant of Genet. The name saw occasional use in the 20th century, with a small peak in the 1970s, but remains rare.