Meaning & History
Jennie is a variant of Jenny. Before the 20th century this spelling was more common.
Etymology and History
Jennie originated as a variant spelling of Jenny, which itself is originally a medieval English diminutive of Jane (from Old French Jehanne). Over time, especially since the mid-20th century, Jenny (and by extension Jennie) has been primarily considered a diminutive of Jennifer. Jennie shares the same ultimate root as Jane, deriving from John, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." The name Jane was the most common feminine form of John in the 17th century, surpassing Joan.
Usage and Distribution
According to Wikipedia, the spelling Jennie was the most common form of the name before the 20th century, while Jenny became more prevalent after that. Jennie is used in English and Swedish-speaking cultures. Variants of the name include Janel, Janelle, Janet, and Janey.
Notable Bearers
Notable individuals named Jennie include Jennie Bimson (English field hockey player), Jennie M. Bingham (American author), Jennie Bond (English journalist), and Jennie Garth (American actress).
- Meaning: Variant of Jenny; originally diminutive of Jane, later of Jennifer
- Origin: English, Swedish
- Type: First name, primarily feminine
- Usage: English, Swedish
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Jenny (given name)