A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Jennie since 1880
Babies named Jennie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Jennie's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 10,220 |
| 1890s | 11,876 |
| 1900s | 9,988 |
| 1910s | 23,068 |
| 1920s | 22,591 |
| 1930s | 9,488 |
| 1940s | 7,014 |
| 1950s | 7,587 |
| 1960s | 5,979 |
| 1970s | 7,754 |
| 1980s | 6,465 |
| 1990s | 2,836 |
| 2000s | 1,250 |
| 2010s | 607 |
| 2020s | 458 |
Meaning & origin
Jennie is a classic diminutive of Jennifer that has enjoyed steady use since the 19th century. First recorded in U.S. data in 1880, the name reached its peak rank of 2,298 in that same year, and has remained in occasional use ever since. In 2025, it ranked 2,298th with approximately 1 in 20,345 newborn girls receiving the name. The name experienced a revival beginning in 2017, after a period of decline, and remains most common in California, New York, and Texas. Its gentle sound and affectionate feel have kept it familiar, even as the full form Jennifer has become less popular. Parents today often choose Jennie for its vintage charm and simplicity.
Jennie originated as a pet form of Jennifer, itself a Cornish form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere), composed of elements meaning 'white, fair, blessed' and 'smooth, soft'. The name Gwenhwyfar was borne in Arthurian legend by King Arthur's queen. Jennifer became popular in the English-speaking world in the 20th century, and its diminutive Jennie has been used as an independent given name since the 19th century.
Where Jennie is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Jennie” around the world
Where Jennie 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, Jenny
Sibling names for Jennie
Names that share Jennie's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Jennie
Names whose popularity has moved with Jennie's over the last 50 years.
