The given name Jennifer originated from the Cornish language, a Brythonic Celtic language spoken in Cornwall, England. It is derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, which means "fair and smooth" or "white and smooth." The name was anglicized to Jennifer during the medieval period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jennifer appears in the Arthurian legends, where it was the name of King Arthur's wife, Guinevere. In the Welsh tale "Culhwch and Olwen," she is referred to as Gwenhwyfar. The name also appears in other medieval texts, such as the "History of the Kings of Britain" by Geoffrey of Monmouth, written in the 12th century.

The name Jennifer gained popularity in England during the 16th century, though it remained relatively uncommon until the 20th century. One of the earliest known bearers of the name Jennifer was Jennifer Gaddesden, who was born in 1539 and was a member of the English gentry.

In the 17th century, the name Jennifer appeared in several literary works, including the play "The Alchemist" by Ben Jonson (1610) and the poem "The Faerie Queene" by Edmund Spenser (1590-1596). These works helped to increase the name's visibility and familiarity among the English-speaking population.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Jennifer. One of the earliest was Jennifer Remington, an English actress and playwright born in 1609. Another was Jennifer Venn, a 17th-century English mathematician and logician (1638-1688). In the 18th century, Jennifer Randolph (1742-1828) was a prominent American landowner and plantation owner in Virginia.

In the 19th century, Jennifer Dill (1822-1891) was a British botanist and naturalist, while Jennifer Paston (1854-1932) was an English writer and activist. Jennifer Bevan (1890-1963) was a Welsh artist and printmaker who gained recognition for her woodcut illustrations.