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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Jenny / Jennie?

54 replies

Sophronia · 17/08/2014 01:16

Opinions on Jenny or Jennie? It was originally a medieval diminutive of Jane and has also been traditionally used as a name in its own right.

Do you think it's better as a nickname for Jennifer (and what do you think of Jennifer as well - is it too dated or more of a classic?)

Thanks! Grin

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jennieflower · 19/08/2014 23:54

Ahem!

I'm a Jennie, it irritates the hell out of me when people misspell it with a 'y', even today a colleague that I've worked with for 2 years + ( on a small team of 8) called me to check my spelling - and I email him at least 3 or 4 times a day!

For what it's worth, I'm Jennifer on my birth certificate and absolutely hate the full version of my name- too posh for me, Jennifer sound like a helicopter pilots name! I relocated and changed my identity over 20 years ago but people still shorten it with a 'y' which bothers me a little, I can cope with the misspelled Jenny as long as it's not the full version. IFYSWIM.

pieceofpurplesky · 19/08/2014 23:35

Jenny is a beautiful name, If I had ever had a DD she would have been Jenny

Cheeky76890 · 19/08/2014 23:32

Josephine is also an option

sausageandorangepickle · 18/08/2014 22:44

I work with a Jenny, who is really a Jeanine, and I love Jennet as a name - but it is the scary ghost in 'The Woman in Black' so not sure I would use it!

Jennifer is nice, and whilst well known she will not be one of 4 in her class.

I think I prefer the spelling Jennie if it is to be a stand alone name.

burgatroyd · 18/08/2014 18:25

Our not are!

burgatroyd · 18/08/2014 18:25

She might! She might not like Jenny and spell it ptjemni! Who knows what are off spring will do once they are filled with hormones!

I know a jenny. She's never known by her full name Jennifer. However its nice to have the choice.

Which name do you prefer? Genevieve or Jennifer?

thatsn0tmyname · 18/08/2014 17:34

Love Jennifer or Jenny/ ie

Original poster
Sophronia · 18/08/2014 17:29

I do like Jennifer, but I hadn't thought of Genevieve burgatroyd! I think it's very pretty and Jenny could possibly work as a nickname, do you think she'd end up getting it spelled Genny by everyone though? I'm not so keen on that spelling.

OP posts:
ThatBloodyWoman · 18/08/2014 17:21

Lovely.
Particularly like it spelt Jennie.

burgatroyd · 18/08/2014 17:18

Genevieve?

Minisoksmakehardwork · 18/08/2014 15:29

Most people will probably assume she is Jennifer. So if you like Jennifer, go with that and call her jenny as a pet name from the off so it becomes her known name. I have a Jennifer and she variously gets called Jennifer, Jen-Jen, Jenny-wren and jenny. I love it :)

Original poster
Sophronia · 17/08/2014 23:01

Thanks, I agree with most of the comments saying that it's probably best to put Jennifer on the bc.

I've also seen Jenifry ("jen-ih-free") which is apparently the Cornish form of the Welsh name Gwenfrewi. Not sure if I like that as much though!

OP posts:
RedErik · 17/08/2014 11:37

I like Jenny and think it works well as a stand alone name.

Don't particular like Jennifer though.

ralinax294 · 17/08/2014 11:19

I prefer the spelling Jenny and think it's better as a nickname for Jennifer, but if you really love Jenny on it's own then go for it.

DocHudson · 17/08/2014 10:54

I like Jenna

poguemahon · 17/08/2014 10:32

I love Jenny. It's pretty and cool.

Jennifersrabbit · 17/08/2014 10:26

Well how could I not comment :)

Lovely name and a lovely children's lullaby, hence the username ... Really of my mums generation but with fashion for retro names why not? There is a small Jennifer at my DDs school and it really suits her.

I'd say Jennifer and then nicknames as wished. If you want a bit of literary provenance for Jennifer I am fairly sure it's the Cornish/ modernised spelling of Guinevere.

BookTart · 17/08/2014 10:24

What Luis said :high fives Luis:

I love my name, especially the variant spelling. I do have to correct the spelling a lot but it doesn't bother me.

Bowlersarm · 17/08/2014 10:21

Lovely.

I like Jennifer nn Jenny.

UseHerName · 17/08/2014 10:20

super name Wink

Cheeky76890 · 17/08/2014 10:05

It's retro chic, a classic

Cheeky76890 · 17/08/2014 10:04

Nice.

There's also Jeannie or Joanie

mateysmum · 17/08/2014 06:55

Jennifer/Jenny gives you the best of all worlds.

Jennifer/Jenny's are generally intelligent, beautiful charming.......Wink

MuttonCadet · 17/08/2014 06:43

I think Jennifer is a lovely name.

rachel234 · 17/08/2014 06:41

Jennifer with nickname Jenny is lovely!