by Lizzie English

Created on: December 31, 2007

ETYMOLOGY: The name Jennifer (pronounced jen-ee-fer) is of Welsh origin and means fair one.

ORIGIN & HISTORY: An early form of the name Jennifer was Guinevere. Guinevere was King Arthur's queen and is a mythological name for girls. Jennifer is the Cornish form of this Welsh name, and was extremely uncommon until the twentieth century.

POPULARITY: The name Jennifer broke into the top one hundred most popular names for baby girls in 1956 and has not dipped below that point since. In 1966 it entered into the list of the top ten most popular feminine names and stayed there until 1994. From 1970 until 1984, a total of fifteen years, it was actually the number one most popular name for girls. In recent years however, it has decreased in popularity, its rank being only 51 in 2006, its lowest point since1961. There are several different opinions as to why the name Jennifer was so exceedingly popular for so many years. The actress Jennifer Jones, famous for her roles in the 1940's and 1950's, was the first famous Jennifer and many think that this is where the name began its rise in popularity. However, before Jennifer Jones, George Bernard Shaw used the name in his play, The Doctor's Dilemma (1906), and this is likely where it began its ascent to fame. Undoubtedly though, the hugely popular 1970's movie, "Love Story," starring the character Jennifer Cavilerri, caused the name to skyrocket in popularity. After this movie's debut, the name remained the most popular name for girls for fifteen years.

FASCINATING FACTS: According to the rules of numerology, people with this name tend to be passionate and romantic. These captivating personalities tend to choose helping professions and are known to be generous and loving.

NAMESAKES: ~Jennifer: a 1978 horror film
~Jennifer Government: book by Max Berry, 2003
~Jennifer: song by Styx
~Jennifer: song by M2M
~The Jennifers: a British band
~Project Jennifer: a 1974 CIA case to retrieve a Russian submarine
~Jennifer: the name has been used as the name for three tropical cyclones in the Pacific Ocean

FAMOUS PERSONS: ~Jennifer Aniston (b. 1969) actress
~Jennifer Love Hewitt (b. 1979) actress
~Jennifer Lopez (b. 1970) actress
~Jennifer Garner (b. 1972) actress
~Jennifer Tilly (b. 1958) actress
~Jennifer Jason Lee (b. 1962) actress
~Jennifer Connelly (b. 1970) actress
~Jennifer Capriati: (b. 1976) tennis player
~Jennifer Hudson: (b.1981) entertainer, made famous by television show American Idol
~Jennifer Jones (b.1919) actress

NAME VARIANTS: Genna, Genni, Gennie, Gennifer, Geniffer, Gennivre, Genny, Jen, Jena, Jenefer, Jeni, Jenifer, Jeniffer, Jenn, Jenna, Jennaa, Jenni, Jennica, Jennie, Jenniver, Jenny

SOURCES:
~thinkbabynames.com
~ssa.gov
~wikipedia.c om
~mybirthcare.com

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