How to say it
JU · ni · per
ˈdʒu.nɪ.pɚ
Feminine
Juniper
Juniper tree
What it means
English name of the evergreen tree, from Latin iuniperus. The berries flavor gin and several northern European cuisines; the wood was used for incense and protection charms.
Juniper is the English name of the evergreen tree, from the Latin iuniperus. The plant is part of cypress family and its berries flavor gin (the word gin is a shortening of genièvre, French for juniper). In medieval Europe juniper was burned for incense and used as a protection charm. As a given name it's recent: rare before the 2010s, then surging fast with the broader botanical-name revival. June is the usual short, and Junie shows up as a childhood form.
How to spell Juniper
The standard spelling is Juniper. Common variants include Junipero, but Juniper is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #100 in 2025, currently #100 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
June is the standard short and a fully separate identity; Junie is the childhood form.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Junípero Serra 18th-century Spanish Franciscan missionary who founded the California missions
Spelling variants
- Junipero
Names with the same feeling
See Juniper from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Juniper mean?
- English name of the evergreen tree, from Latin iuniperus. The berries flavor gin and several northern European cuisines; the wood was used for incense and protection charms.
- What does Juniper mean in Latin?
- In Latin, Juniper means "Juniper tree." Juniper is the English name of the evergreen tree, from the Latin iuniperus. The plant is part of cypress family and its berries flavor gin (the word gin is a shortening of genièvre, French for juniper). In medieval Europe juniper was burned for incense and used as a protection charm. As a given name it's recent: rare before the 2010s, then surging fast with the broader botanical-name revival. June is the usual short, and Junie shows up as a childhood form.
- How do you pronounce Juniper?
- Juniper is pronounced ˈdʒu.nɪ.pɚ. Say it as JU-ni-per, with the stress on the "ju" syllable.
- How do you spell Juniper?
- The standard spelling is Juniper. Common spelling variants include Junipero.
- Is Juniper a boy or girl name?
- Juniper is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Juniper?
- Juniper ranked #100 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.