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Jensen

♀ Girl

Pronounced JEN-sun /ˈdʒɛnsən/High

Meaning: Danish and Scandinavian patronymic surname meaning 'son of Jens,' where Jens is the Danish/Norwegian form of John, from Hebrew Yohanan meaning 'God is gracious.'High

In 30 seconds: A sleek Scandinavian surname turned first name, Jensen carries the timeless meaning of 'son of John' into modern naming. Cool, confident, and gender-forward, it suits parents drawn to Nordic charm.
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Origin HighDanish, Scandinavian
MeaningDanish and Scandinavian patronymic surname meaning 'son of Jens,' where Jens is the Danish/Norwegian form of John, from Hebrew Yohanan meaning 'God is gracious.'
U.S. rank (2024)#3128 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births51 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1998
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,839

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199819812024

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

History & Origin

Jensen is a Danish and Norwegian patronymic surname meaning 'son of Jens.' Jens is the Scandinavian form of John, derived through Latin Johannes from Hebrew Yohanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' As a surname, Jensen is one of the most common in Denmark and among the most frequent Scandinavian names in the United States, brought by 19th-century immigrants. The transition of Jensen from surname to given name reflects the broader 20th and 21st century trend of using surnames as first names.

As a first name, Jensen began appearing in American birth records with greater frequency in the 2000s and 2010s, used for both boys and girls. Its use for girls reflects the growing popularity of gender-neutral surname-style names such as Madison, Morgan, and Parker. The name has a crisp, modern sound that appeals to parents seeking a name that is both distinctive and grounded in heritage.

Did you know? Jensen is one of the most common surnames in Denmark — a direct parallel to 'Johnson' in English — yet its use as a first name for girls is a thoroughly modern, predominantly American phenomenon.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Jensen — Danish patronymic originU.S. Social Security Administration — first-name usage data

Variations

JensonJenssen

Nicknames

JenJenn

Famous Bearers

  • ★Jensen Ackles (1978–present)
    American actor best known for playing Dean Winchester in the TV series Supernatural.

If you like Jensen…

Morgan— gender-neutral surname-origin name with the same cool, modern vibe
Madison— popular surname-as-first-name with comparable crossover appeal for girls
Parker— crisp surname-style name embraced for girls with the same two-syllable energy
Emerson— Scandinavian-rooted surname name with similar contemporary feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jensen mean?

Jensen means 'son of Jens,' where Jens is the Scandinavian form of John, ultimately meaning 'God is gracious' from Hebrew.

How do you pronounce Jensen?

Jensen is pronounced JEN-sun /ˈdʒɛnsən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Jensen a boy or girl name?

Jensen is gender-neutral and is used for both boys and girls, with growing use as a girls' first name in the United States.

How popular is Jensen?

Jensen is a moderately popular name in the United States, especially as a gender-forward first name inspired by the Scandinavian surname tradition.