Jinger
A feminine variation of the name Virginia, possibly derived from the French word gingembre, meaning "ginger."
Name Census estimates that about 460 living Americans carry the first name Jinger. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Jinger today is around 40 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Jinger births was 1982 (19 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Jinger. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
460
~ 1 in 745,118 Americans
Peak year
1982
19 babies that year
Average age
40
years old
2024 SSA rank
#14,207
Tracked since 1950
Popularity
Jinger: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Jinger from the 1950s through to the 2020s, spanning 8 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1970s, with 129 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1970s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Jinger by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Jinger during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Jingers live
Origin
Meaning and history of Jinger
The name Jinger is a unique and intriguing one, with a rich history and diverse cultural influences. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Germanic language, where it is believed to have derived from the root word "inga," meaning "warrior" or "fighter." This connection suggests that the name may have initially been bestowed upon those who possessed a courageous and valiant spirit.
In the early Middle Ages, the name Jinger began to spread across various regions of Europe, particularly in areas populated by Germanic tribes. It is recorded in several ancient manuscripts and chronicles from this period, indicating its widespread use among the nobility and common folk alike.
One of the earliest documented instances of the name Jinger can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from the 12th century. Here, the name appears as "Jingero," referring to a nobleman who held land and titles in the region of Saxony.
As the name continued to evolve over the centuries, it took on various spellings and forms, such as "Jingir," "Jinger," and "Jinghir." These variations can be found in historical records from countries like Germany, France, and England, where the name gained a foothold.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Jinger. One such person was Jinger von Sternberg (1492-1562), a German military commander and landowner who played a significant role in the Peasants' War of 1524-1525. Another was Jinger Aelfric (1021-1087), an English Benedictine monk and scholar renowned for his contributions to the Anglo-Saxon literature of the time.
In the realm of literature, the name Jinger found its way into the works of renowned authors. One example is the character Jinger Hoffmann, a pivotal figure in the 19th-century novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
It is worth noting that the name Jinger has also been associated with various professions and trades throughout history. For instance, Jinger Baumeister (1687-1743) was a renowned German architect and builder who left an indelible mark on the architectural landscape of his time.
While the name Jinger may not be as common in modern times, its rich historical legacy serves as a testament to the enduring influence of ancient cultures and the diverse tapestry of human experience.
People
Jinger + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Jinger as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with J
Other first names starting with J with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Jinger: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Jinger?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 460 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Jinger going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 745,118 US residents.
Is Jinger a common name?
We classify Jinger as "Very Rare". It ranks above 83.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 507 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Jinger most popular?
The single biggest year for Jinger was 1982, when 19 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Jinger is about 40 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Jinger a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Jinger in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.