Ginger

At a Glance

Meaning

Pet form of Virginia ('pure'), or a nickname for ginger-coloured hair

Origin

English

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

JIN-jerListen

Ginger is an English name, but not for the reason people assume — it isn't a direct nod to the spice. It's actually a pet form of Virginia (meaning 'pure'), or a nickname given for ginger-coloured hair. If you're drawn to Ginger, that's the story behind it.

Meaning & Origin of Ginger

Meaning: Pet form of Virginia ('pure'), or a nickname for ginger-coloured hair.

Origin: English.

A common claim: Ginger is often assumed to be named directly after the ginger spice. Actually: It doesn't actually reference the spice — it's either a pet form of 'Virginia' or a nickname for ginger-coloured hair.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Ginger

Popularity of Ginger

Ginger peaked at #187 in 1971, when 1,670 babies were given the name, but by 2024 it had fallen to #3589 with just 43 babies — a steep drop over the more than a century of Social Security data on record, which spans 1913 to 2024.

Names Like Ginger

These names have followed a similar path to Ginger in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Gretchen
• Aran
• Azure
• Rodrick
• Rashid
• Marlena

FAQ

What does the name Ginger mean?

Pet form of Virginia (‘pure’), or a nickname for ginger-coloured hair. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Ginger?

Ginger is pronounced JIN-jer (IPA: /ˈdʒɪndʒər/).

Is Ginger a popular name right now?

Ginger peaked at #187 in 1971 and is ranked #3589 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1913–2024.)

Make Ginger Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Ginger, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.