Is Jenny a boy's or girl's name?

Jenny is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 605 recorded births.

When was Jenny most popular?

Jenny reached its peak popularity in 1977 with 2,688 births that year. It is currently ranked #1388 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Jenny?

Jenny is currently ranked #1388 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 91,956 babies since 1880.

Jenny

An uncommon Hebrew pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysHebrewRising fast Also a pet name

#1388▼ 82in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name.

Jenny is a girl's and boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, traditionally used as a diminutive of Jennifer or Jane, with Jennifer deriving from the Cornish form of Guinevere and Jane from the Hebrew Yohanan meaning 'God is gracious.'

Jenny has an irresistible sing-song quality — it is practically impossible to say without a slight smile. The song '867-5309/Jenny' by Tommy Tutone (1981) embedded it permanently in pop culture memory. Jenny McCarthy, Jenny from Forrest Gump, and literary Jenny Wren from Dickens give the name a surprisingly wide cultural range. Sweet, unpretentious, and genuinely likable.

Compare Jenny with another name

Popularity Over Time

Jenny was #447 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1388, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Jenny
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	800	#1395	▼
2010s	2,884	#941	▼
2000s	6,686	#475	▼
1990s	10,142	#288	▼
1980s	19,720	#152	▼
1970s	22,902	#134	▲
1960s	10,952	#268	▲
1950s	8,701	#289	▲
1940s	3,580	#401	▲
1930s	1,937	#472	—
1920s	1,963	#498	▲
1910s	979	#610	▲
1900s	306	#672	▲
1890s	237	#614	▲
1880s	167	#522	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Jenny
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	162	#1388	-12 (-6.9%)
2023	174	#1306	+9 (5.5%)
2022	165	#1388	+19 (13.0%)
2021	146	#1468	-7 (-4.6%)
2020	153	#1426	-43 (-21.9%)
2019	196	#1196	-24 (-10.9%)
2018	220	#1113	-40 (-15.4%)
2017	260	#997	+25 (10.6%)
2016	235	#1094	-46 (-16.4%)
2015	281	#967	-55 (-16.4%)
2014	336	#824	0
2013	336	#804	+28 (9.1%)
2012	308	#864	-54 (-14.9%)
2011	362	#761	+12 (3.4%)
2010	350	#787	-56 (-13.8%)
2009	406	#709	-106 (-20.7%)
2008	512	#600	-104 (-16.9%)
2007	616	#514	-51 (-7.6%)
2006	667	#476	+54 (8.8%)
2005	613	#498	-72 (-10.5%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Jenny as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Jenny has also been given to 605 boys in the U.S. since 1925.

Unranked

Current rank

605

Total births

1971

Peak year

Compare Jenny as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Jenny be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Jenny is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #1388. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Jenny has two lives

Jenny, the baby name

#1388girls

91,956 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology