Find out how popular the first name Jennet has been for the last 36 years (from 1975 to 2010) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jennet by gender

Based on the last 36 years of data, Jennet is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2010, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jennet.

The history of the first name Jennet

Jennet is a feminine given name of English origin, derived from the French name Jennette, which is a diminutive form of the name Jeanne. Jeanne, in turn, is the French form of the Hebrew name Johanna, meaning "God is gracious." The name Jennet emerged in medieval England during the 12th century.

The name Jennet has its roots in the biblical name Johanna, which was the name of a woman mentioned in the New Testament as one of the women who followed Jesus and witnessed his crucifixion and resurrection. This connection to the biblical figure may have contributed to the name's popularity in Christian communities during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Jennet can be found in the Domesday Book, a great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book mentions a woman named Jennet who held land in Gloucestershire.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Jennet. One of the most famous was Jennet Geddes (c. 1590-c. 1660), a Scottish Presbyterian who is credited with sparking the religious conflicts known as the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. In 1637, she allegedly threw a stool at the head of a minister during a church service in protest against the imposition of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.

Another notable Jennet was Jennet Clason (c. 1600-1677), a Dutch settler in New Netherland (present-day New York) who became one of the first female landowners in the colony. She acquired a substantial amount of land through her marriages and business dealings.

In the literary world, Jennet Jourdemayne was a fictional character in Sir Walter Scott's novel "The Monastery" (1820). She was portrayed as a young woman with supernatural powers who played a pivotal role in the story's plot.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Jennet was also found in various legal and historical records in England and Scotland, indicating its continued use among the general population.

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

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

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