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Jenny

Girl name · 696 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Jenny: 696 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 37 births in 1977.

Jenny is a diminutive of Jennifer, which itself comes from the Cornish form of Guinevere, rooted in the Welsh elements *gwen* meaning "white" or "fair" and *hwyfar* meaning "smooth" or "phantom"—giving the name a poetic sense of "white wave" or "white phantom." Famous bearers include the Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind, known as the "Swedish Nightingale" for her dazzling voice, and actress Jenny Agutter, celebrated for her roles in *The Railway Children* and *An American Werewolf in London*. While not a place name, Jenny shares its ancient Celtic root with the Welsh river Gwenfrewi. As a standalone name in Scotland, Jenny has been a steady favourite since the 1970s, often chosen for its warm, friendly feel—far more than just a nickname for Jennifer, it carries a charm all its own, familiar yet never overused.