Ginevra Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ji-NEV-rah /dʒɪˈnɛv.rə/
Origin: Italian; Latin
Meaning: Italian: Juniper; Latin: youthful
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ginevra has its roots in the Old Welsh name 'Gwenhwyfar,' which is composed of the elements 'gwen,' meaning 'white' or 'fair,' and 'hwyfar,' meaning 'smooth' or 'gentle.' This name was Latinized as 'Guinevere' in the medieval period, particularly through the influence of Arthurian legends, which popularized the character of Queen Guinevere, the wife of King Arthur. The transition from 'Guinevere' to 'Ginevra' occurred as the name was adapted into Italian, reflecting the phonetic and linguistic shifts characteristic of the evolution of names across cultures and languages.
The earliest recorded use of Ginevra in Italian literature can be traced back to the 13th century, where it appears in various poetic works, establishing its presence in the cultural lexicon of the time. Historically, Ginevra is associated with notable figures, including Ginevra de' Benci, a prominent Florentine noblewoman of the 15th century, who is famously depicted in a portrait by Leonardo da Vinci.
This connection to art and nobility contributed to the name's enduring legacy in Italian culture. Additionally, Ginevra appears in various literary works, including those of the Italian poet Ludovico Ariosto in the 16th century, further embedding the name within the fabric of Italian Renaissance literature.
Culturally, Ginevra has been linked to themes of beauty, grace, and nobility, often embodying the ideals of femininity in the contexts where it is used. The name has also been associated with the city of Geneva, which is derived from the same root, although the connection is more geographical than etymological.
The diminutive form 'Gina' has emerged as a familiar variant, reflecting the affectionate and personal nature of the name in various cultural contexts. Overall, Ginevra's rich historical and cultural significance has allowed it to endure through centuries, maintaining a connection to its noble and artistic heritage.
Fictional characters named Ginevra
The following list of fictional characters named Ginevra is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Ginevra Weasley is a fictional character from the book series Harry Potter. She is the youngest child of the Weasley family and a prominent member of the Gryffindor house.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ginevra, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ginevra. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ginevra was first seen in the United States in 1913.
Ginevra has ranked as high as #1335 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California.
In the past 5 years the name Ginevra has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ginevra is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Ginevra was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Ginevra (2013)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Ginevra.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2013 | 15 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 1999 | 6 |
| 1973 | 5 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1969 | 7 |
| 1968 | 8 |
| 1920 | 5 |
| 1913 | 5 |