Ginnifer

Ginnifer is a modern feminine name that emerged as a phonetic respelling of Jennifer, which derives from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, meaning "fair and smooth." This variant spelling gained visibility through American actress Ginnifer Goodwin, helping to distinguish it from the extremely popular Jennifer that dominated birth records in the 1970s and 80s. The spelling reflects the actual pronunciation many use for Jennifer, with the soft 'G' sound. While much rarer than its traditional counterpart, Ginnifer offers a fresh twist on a familiar name, allowing for the nickname Ginny. It appeals to parents who appreciate the classic appeal of Jennifer but desire something more distinctive that still maintains recognizable roots.

Pronounced jin-IF-er.

As of October 2026, Ginnifer ranked #16723 in US births in 2017 SSA, peaked at #6146 in 1972.