Jennings

Jennings is an English surname that developed from a familiar form of John. Names such as Jen and its diminutives supplied the personal-name element, while the surname identified a family relationship or descent. Through John, the longer name family reaches the Hebrew meaning God is gracious, though Jennings itself functions primarily as a surname name.

Its final s gives it a recognizable family-name shape when used as a first name. That can make Jennings a direct way to carry a surname into a new generation or a less obvious tribute to a John. The resemblance to Jennifer may offer a personal association for some families, but Jennifer has a separate linguistic history.