Holding steady.
Popularity of Jennilyn since 1966
Babies named Jennilyn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 92 |
| 1980s | 126 |
| 1990s | 69 |
| 2000s | 26 |
| 2010s | 10 |
| 2020s | 7 |
Meaning & origin
Jennilyn first entered U.S. naming records in 1966, a modern coinage combining the enduring popularity of Jennifer with the melodic suffix Lynn. Its peak usage came in 1983, reflecting the broader trend of compound names in the late 20th century. Since then, it has declined in frequency but remains in occasional use, with a trajectory described as stable in recent years. As a name that does not appear in the top 1000, it offers a distinctive choice for parents seeking a familiar yet uncommon combination. Its origins are purely modern English, with no ancient roots or cross-cultural variations.
Jennilyn is a modern coinage combining the popular name Jennifer (from Welsh Gwenhwyfar, meaning 'fair phantom' or 'white enchantress') with the popular middle name Lynn (from Welsh llyn, meaning 'lake' or 'waterfall', or from English lin, meaning 'linen'). It first appeared in U.S. records in the 1960s, peaking in the 1980s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jen, Jenny, Lynn
Sibling names for Jennilyn
Names that share Jennilyn's style, for a brother or sister.
