Find out how popular the first name Jenifer has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jenifer by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jenifer is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Jenifer being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 12 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jenifer.

The history of the first name Jenifer

The name Jenifer is an English feminine name derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, which means "smooth, white wave" or "fair wanderer." It is also a variant of the name Jennifer, which is a Cornish form of the Welsh name.

The earliest recorded use of the name Jenifer dates back to the 16th century in England. It is believed that the name gained popularity due to its association with the legendary Queen Guinevere, the wife of King Arthur in Arthurian legends. The name Gwenhwyfar was adapted into various forms, including Jenever, Jenifer, and Jennifer.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Jenifer was Jenifer Walwyn, an English writer and translator who lived in the late 16th century. She is known for her translation of French works into English, including the writings of Michel de Montaigne.

In the 17th century, Jenifer Browning was a prominent figure in English history. She was born in 1628 and was a Puritan writer and activist who advocated for religious freedom and women's rights. Her works included several pamphlets and treatises on religious and political topics.

During the 18th century, Jenifer Hendricks was a notable American artist and portraitist. Born in 1745 in Maryland, she was known for her realistic and detailed portraits of prominent figures in the American colonies.

In the 19th century, Jenifer Wilkinson was a British writer and poet who gained recognition for her romantic poetry and novels. She was born in 1810 and published several works, including "The Wandering Heart" and "Echoes of the Past."

Another notable figure with the name Jenifer was Jenifer Osceola, a Seminole leader and activist born in 1833. She played a crucial role in the Seminole Wars, resisting the forced removal of her tribe from their ancestral lands in Florida.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Jenifer. The name's rich history and connection to Welsh and Arthurian legends have contributed to its enduring popularity and cultural significance.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jenifer, 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!