Etymology

jenny

jen·ny
J8E1N1N1Y4

Today it means: A device for spinning thread from fiber onto multiple spindles (also called spinning jenny). Full definition →

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jenny · noun, verb1

Partially from generic use of the female given name Jenny (cf. Jane) and partially from informal pronunciations of engine.

Jenny · proper noun, noun2

From Jen + -y, historically as a hypocoristic form of Janet, Jane, etc. but now more often used as a diminutive of Jennifer. Rarely also a nickname of Genevieve (compare Genny, pronounced the same), Eugenia or Virginia (compare Ginny). Doublet of Ivanka, Jan, Janelle, Janet, Janey, Janine, Jeanette, Jeanie, Jeannette, Jeannine, Jen, Jenna, Jessie, Jo, Jody, Juanita, Shanae, Sinead, and Vanna in derivations from Jane etc. In senses related to inanimate objects, partially derived from the generic senses of Jane and partially an informal pronunciation of engine.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.