Jenny | Oh Baby! Names

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Jenny

Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Jenny

Jenny is a short form of Jennifer. Jennifer is the Cornish form of the Welsh Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere) which is ultimately derived from the elements “gwen” meaning “fair” and “hwyfar” meaning “smooth”. Ultimately the names Guinevere and Jennifer are said to mean “the fair one”. As a diminutive form then Jenny would come to mean “little fair one”. Guinevere is best known as the heroine of Celtic legend. The most beautiful woman on earth, Guinevere was the unfaithful wife of King Arthur, having fallen in love with Sir Lancelot, and thus destroyed the peace of Camelot. Like many women of Celtic legend, she exerted her own personal happiness despite the consequences. Jennifer is the version of Guinevere used in Cornwall – the Cornish people, like the Welsh, are a branch of Celtic people, but different from the Gaelic language of Ireland and Scotland. The English eventually discovered Jenifer in the 20th century and it quickly spread in popularity among all English speaking nations. Jen and Jenny are considered short forms of Jennifer but Jenny has been used as an independently given name in its own right. Jenny is most popular in Norway today where the name is ranked in the Top 25.

All About the Baby Name – Jenny

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME JENNY

The number Five personality loves the excitement of life and can easily adapt to all situations. As natural adventurers, these personalities thrive on the new and unexpected and prefer to be in constant motion. It makes them feel alive. They'll stir up some action if there's not enough around, and as inherent risk-takers they enjoy pushing the envelope. Naturally rebellious, the Five personality has no fear and never resists change.  Traveling and new experiences feed their souls. Fives are very social and attract friends with ease. People love to be around the Five fun-loving and exciting energy.  This is also a lucky number in numerology (like the Threes), so fortune seems to shine on them, helped along by their own optimism and good-nature. Fives have a quick wit, a cerebral mind, and are generally very persuasive. 

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME JENNY

Jenny actually predates Jennifer on the American female naming charts. There’s actually an explanation for this. Jenny really started as a medieval diminutive of Jane or Joanna, but today we now think of Jenny as short for Jennifer. Evidence of this fact is that Jenny showed most of her growth on the charts when Jennifer was at her peak popularity (1970s and 80s). Jenny almost, but not quite, landed a position on the Top 100 list of most commonly used girl names during this period. However, what goes up usually comes down, and Jenny is no exception. Her heyday has come and gone and as we entered this new century, the name’s drops on the charts became more pronounced. Only about 350 baby girls are called Jenny on their birth certificate annually these days. Jennifer and Jenna are still the preferred forms of Jenny, but Jenny is a sweet, youthful option as a stand-alone name. According to Forrest Gump, Jenny is "the most beautiful name in the world."

Quick Facts

ON JENNY

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

804

PRONUNCIATION:

JEHN-nee

SIMPLE MEANING:

Little fair one

Characteristics

OF JENNY

Freedom-loving

Adventurous

Adaptable

Intellectual

Easygoing

Progressive

Sensual

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Jenny

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME JENNY

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Jenny

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME JENNY

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Jenny

Popular Songs

ON JENNY

Penny & Jennya song by Souls867-5309 / Jennya song by Tommy TutonePoor Jennya song by The Everly BrothersPirate Jennya song by Nina SimonePhoto Jennya song by Belle & SebastianOh Jennya song by Rick TreviñoJenny Wrena song by Paul McCartneyJenny Was a Friend of Minea song by The KillersJenny Take a RideMitch Ryder and the Detroit WheelsJenny Saysa song by Cowboy MouthJenny Rebeccaa song by Olivia Newton-JohnJenny Lynna song by the Stanley BrothersJenny Jennya song by Little RichardJenny Dreamed of Trainsa song by Vince GillJenny from the Blocka song by Jennifer LopezJenny Don't Minda song by The FoghatJenny Don't Be Hastya song by Paolo NutiniJenny Come Backa song by Restless HeartJennya song by Harry ChapinCotton Jennya song by Gordon Lightfoot

Famous People

NAMED JENNY

Jennifer "Jenny" McCarthy (model, actress, author, autism activist) Johanna Maria "Jenny" Lind (opera singer) Jennifer "Jenny" Thompson (Olympic swimmer) Jennifer “Jenny” Lewis (musician) Jennifer Ann "Jenny" Agutter (English actress) Jenny Byrne (Australian tennis player)

Children of Famous People

NAMED JENNY

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Jenny

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME JENNY

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Jenny

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