Find out how popular the first name Jenaveve has been for the last 22 years (from 1999 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jenaveve by gender

Based on the last 22 years of data, Jenaveve is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jenaveve.

The history of the first name Jenaveve

The name Jenaveve is derived from the French language and has its origins in the Middle Ages. It is a variation of the name Genevieve, which is derived from the Germanic name Genovefa or Kenuveva. The name Genovefa is believed to be composed of the Germanic elements "kenu" meaning "race" or "kin," and "wefa" meaning "wife" or "woman."

The name Genevieve was popularized by the veneration of Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. Saint Genevieve lived in the 5th century AD and is credited with leading the defense of Paris against the Huns. Her name became widely known and adopted throughout France and other parts of Europe.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Jenaveve can be found in the 12th century in the writings of the French poet and trouvère Chrétien de Troyes. He mentioned a character named Jenaveve in his romantic poem "Érec et Énide."

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Jenaveve or its variations. One such individual was Jenaveve de Brabant, a 13th-century Dutch noblewoman and countess of Holland. Another was Jenaveve de Bourgogne, a 14th-century French noble and the wife of King John II of France.

In the literary world, Jenaveve was the name of a character in the 16th-century French play "La Calandra" by Cardinal Bibbiena. Additionally, Jenaveve Frost was an English actress and playwright who lived in the late 17th century and was known for her roles in the works of William Congreve.

Moving into the 19th century, Jenaveve Winslow was an American author and poet who published several works, including the poetry collection "Glimpses of the Ideal" in 1864. Another notable figure was Jenaveve Masson, a French sculptor and artist active in the late 19th century, known for her works in the Art Nouveau style.

These are just a few examples of individuals who bore the name Jenaveve throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence across various cultures and time periods.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Jenaveve was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jenaveve, please contact us.

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