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

Popularity of Jenna by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 470 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jenna.

The history of the first name Jenna

The name Jenna has its roots in the ancient Hebrew language, originating from the name Yochanan, which means "God is gracious" or "Yahweh is merciful." The earliest recorded use of this name dates back to biblical times, as it appears in the Old Testament as a masculine name.

In the Middle Ages, the name Jenna emerged as a feminine variant of the name John, which was derived from the Hebrew Yochanan. The name gained popularity in Europe, particularly in England and Scotland, where it was often spelled as Jennet or Jennet.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jenna can be found in the Scottish clan records from the 15th century, where it was used as a feminine form of John. The name was also popular in medieval England, where it was sometimes spelled as Jennett or Jennette.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Jenna. One such person was Jenna of Angers (c. 1080 - c. 1135), a French noblewoman and patron of the arts, who played a significant role in the development of Romanesque architecture in the region.

Another notable bearer of the name was Jenna of Sempringham (c. 1182 - 1246), an English nun and the founder of the Sempringham Order, a religious order that combined both monks and nuns under the same rule.

In the 16th century, Jenna Sibbald (c. 1560 - 1624) was a Scottish writer and poet, known for her works celebrating the beauty of nature and the Scottish landscape.

In the 19th century, Jenna Renaud (1822 - 1892) was a French writer and journalist who advocated for women's rights and education. She was a pioneering figure in the early feminist movement in France.

More recently, Jenna Talackova (born 1988) is a Canadian model and television personality, who gained international recognition for her fight against discrimination in beauty pageants based on gender identity.

While the name Jenna has evolved over centuries and gained popularity in various cultures, it remains closely tied to its Hebrew roots, carrying the meaning of grace, mercy, and divine favor.

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

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

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