Genna

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Genna

Pronounced JEN-uh /ˈdʒɛnə/High

Meaning: Genna has two readings: as a G-spelling of Jenna, the short form of Jennifer (from Welsh Gwenhwyfar, 'white, fair'), or as a form of the Italian Gemma, 'gem, jewel'. Both give the same JEN-uh sound.Low

In 30 seconds: Genna (JEN-uh) reads as a form of Jenna, from Jennifer, or of Italian Gemma, 'gem' — both plausible, which we note.

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Origin LowEnglish, Italian

MeaningGenna has two readings: as a G-spelling of Jenna, the short form of Jennifer (from Welsh Gwenhwyfar, 'white, fair'), or as a form of the Italian Gemma, 'gem, jewel'. Both give the same JEN-uh sound.

U.S. rank (2024)#16051 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1986

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,031

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Genna sits between two names. It can be a G- spelling of Jenna, the short form of Jennifer — ultimately Welsh Gwenhwyfar, 'white, fair' — or a form of the Italian Gemma, meaning 'gem' or 'jewel'. The spelling points softly toward the jewel reading while the sound matches Jenna.

A girl named Genna at its 1986 high is now in her thirties, though the name's long run means older bearers exist too. It reads eighties in its Jenna form and gently vintage in its Gemma form. Gemma is enjoying a revival, which gives Genna a quiet path back; a family may want to flag which reading they mean.

Did you know? Genna has a surprisingly long tail, reaching back to the thirties, before peaking in 1986 alongside the Jenna vogue.

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Genna — Form of Jenna (from Jennifer) or Italian Gemma ('gem')

Variations

JennaGemmaGena

Nicknames

GenJen

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Genna…

Jenna— the base name Genna often respells

Gemma— the Italian 'gem' it may instead reflect

Gianna— a same-era soft Italian-flavored name

Jenny— a like short Jennifer-family name

Explore names like Genna

By themerespelling gem-name dual-origin

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Genna mean?

Genna reads as a form of Jenna, from Jennifer, or of the Italian Gemma, 'gem'; both are plausible.

How do you pronounce Genna?

It's said JEN-uh /ˈdʒɛnə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Genna a boy or girl name?

Genna is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Genna?

Genna was an uncommon name with a long, quiet run that peaked in the mid-eighties.