Holding steady.
Popularity of Jenney since 1909
Babies named Jenney per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 24 |
| 1930s | 7 |
| 1940s | 10 |
| 1950s | 43 |
| 1960s | 51 |
| 1970s | 165 |
| 1980s | 132 |
| 1990s | 44 |
| 2000s | 23 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Jenney is a rare feminine name that has never achieved widespread popularity. Its highest point came in 1979, when it saw its peak year usage. The name follows a stable trajectory in recent decades, with no dramatic spikes or declines. As a variant of the more common Jenny and Jennie, it shares their English roots and perennial but modest appeal. Jenney remains an uncommon choice, appealing to parents who prefer a slightly different spelling while keeping a familiar sound.
Jenney is a variant spelling of Jenny, which itself originated as a medieval English pet form of Jane, itself from French Jehanne, ultimately from Latin Iohanna. In the 20th century, Jenny also became a common diminutive of Jennifer, a Cornish form of Guinevere. Jenney, with its -ey ending, reflects a common English pattern of respelling diminutives. Despite its long history, it has never been widely popular, peaking modestly in the 1970s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jen, Jenn
Sibling names for Jenney
Names that share Jenney's style, for a brother or sister.
