Jenelle first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Jenelle has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Jenelle

A variant of the French feminine name Janelle, itself derived from John.

Popularity of Jenelle by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jenelle is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 17 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jenelle.

YearMale CountFemale Count
2024017
2023029
2022037
2021035
2020056
2019053
2018064
2017065
2016074
2015090
2014083
2013097
20120105
20110130
2010064
2009063
2008084
2007079
2006089
2005073
2004080
2003083
2002079
2001091
2000057
1999070
1998096
1997076
1996095
1995092
1994091
19930110
19920149
19910168
19900154
19890161
19880157
19870197
19860192
19850247
19840220
19830212
19820244
19810254
19800222
19790218
19780201
19770151
19760123
1975086

The history of the first name Jenelle

The name Jenelle is a relatively modern feminine given name that appears to have emerged in the English-speaking world during the 20th century. While its precise origins are unclear, it is likely a combination or variation of the more traditional names Jennifer and Janelle.

One theory suggests that Jenelle may have originated as a blend of the names Jennifer and Nelle, a diminutive form of the name Eleanor. This would place its roots in the Germanic name element "gen," meaning "kin" or "race," and the Old French name Eleanor, derived from the Occitan phrase "alia anor," meaning "other honor."

Another possibility is that Jenelle is a variant spelling of the name Janelle, which itself is a French diminutive form of the name Jane. Jane can be traced back to the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious."

While there are no definitive historical references to the name Jenelle in ancient texts or religious scriptures, some notable individuals have borne this name throughout the years. One of the earliest recorded examples is Jenelle Meyers, an American actress born in 1923, who appeared in several films and television shows in the mid-20th century.

Another noteworthy Jenelle is Jenelle Evans, an American reality television personality born in 1991, best known for her appearances on the MTV series "Teen Mom 2." Jenelle Riley, an American entertainment journalist and film critic born in the late 20th century, has also gained recognition for her work.

In the realm of sports, Jenelle Deathridge, a Canadian basketball player born in 1986, has represented Canada in international competitions. Jenelle Manzi, an American soccer player born in 1994, has also made a name for herself in her field.

While the name Jenelle may not have a rich historical lineage dating back centuries, its modern usage and association with notable individuals in various fields have contributed to its growing popularity and recognition in recent times.

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 Jenelle was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.

Search
Search
Background shape