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Name Lineage

    The first name Jen

    A unisex name.

    Pronounced /d͡ʒɛn/ 1 syllable Unisex Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Usually a clipped or hypocoristic form of Jennifer, although also used for Jean, Jeanette, Jeannette, etc. Doublet of Ivanka, Jan, Janelle, Janet, Janey, Janine, Jeanette, Jeanie, Jeannette, Jeannine, Jenna, Jenny, Jessie, Jo, Jody, Juanita, Shanae, Sinead, and Vanna in these secondary derivations.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    Jen last appeared in the official list in 2004, given to 3 boys.

    0510 1996200020052010201520202025
    3
    babies named Jen, 1996–2025
    #3,651
    rank in 2004
    2004
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Jen with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Jen at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2015, 14 boys born in the United States were named Jen, the 6,124th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2010, when 17 were.

    01020 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    404
    babies named Jen since 1880
    #6,124
    rank in 2015
    2010
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Other spellings and forms

    Famous people named Jen

    5 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Jen Psaki
      American political advisor and White House Press Secretary from 2021 to 2022 (born 1978)
    • Jen Ledger
      British drummer and singer, born 1989
    • Jen Lilley
      American actress, born 1984
    • Jen Kiggans
      American politician and nurse, born 1971
    • Jen Richards
      American writer, actress, producer, and activist, born 1976

    Questions

    What does the name Jen mean?
    Usually a clipped or hypocoristic form of Jennifer, although also used for Jean, Jeanette, Jeannette, etc. Doublet of Ivanka, Jan, Janelle, Janet, Janey, Janine, Jeanette, Jeanie, Jeannette, Jeannine, Jenna, Jenny, Jessie, Jo, Jody, Juanita, Shanae, Sinead, and Vanna in these…
    How popular is the name Jen?
    In 2004, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Jen, ranking 3,651st.
    Is Jen a boy's or a girl's name?
    Both. Of the 404 US babies named Jen since 1880, 79% were girls and 21% boys.
    When was Jen most popular?
    2010 in the United States, when 17 babies were named Jen, its highest rank at 5,355th.
    How do you pronounce Jen?
    Jen is /d͡ʒɛn/, one syllable.
    What are other spellings of Jen?
    Jên.
    Is Jen also a surname?
    Yes. Jen is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.