No, I am not racist. I’m asking this because I am of [name_f]Asian[/name_f] ethnicity, and I’ll be studying in another country (where the most common language English).
I have learned (by experience) that many people that don’t speak my language find my actual name quite odd / difficult to pronounce. Since my name is somewhat similar to [name_f]Jenna[/name_f], I’m thinking of using that as my preferred name/nickname. However, I’m wondering if people’ll find it odd, as some websites say that it means ‘white, fair’ (although nameberry says white shadow/ white wave). Would you find it strange?
I think [name_f]Jenna[/name_f] is a perfectly fine name for someone of [name_f]Asian[/name_f] ethnicity.
Most Westerners won’t know the meaning/origin of the name [name_f]Jenna[/name_f]. Name meanings matter very little in the [name_u]West[/name_u]. Lots of names have meanings like “dark” or “blonde” or “red-haired” and people have those names regardless of their physical appearance.
I know a YouTuber who is of [name_f]Asian[/name_f] ethnicity , her name is I think something to the effect of [name_f]Jennifer[/name_f] / [name_f]Jenna[/name_f] judging by her username. I don’t think [name_f]Jenna[/name_f] has any racist implications towards [name_f]Asian[/name_f] people - the name fits perfectly well with people of any ethnicity and it 's kind of an " universal name " in the [name_f]English[/name_f] speaking world that anyone can have - much like [name_f]Sarah[/name_f] , [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] , [name_f]Amanda[/name_f] , [name_f]Nicole[/name_f] etc - those seem universal to me. I don’t think many people will know the meaning of the name is something that will have any impact on the everyday life of your daughter if you decide to name her J3nna
I would not associate [name_f]Jenna[/name_f] with any ethnicity and honestly for me it is fine. Also for the meaning, don’t worry so much about it. Personally for me meanings are a factor I consider much in a name but that is because I am a huge etymology nerd and I love researching their meanings, but most people would not and they would not know and even if they knew they would not care too much.
Also the “white” that you mean comes from [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] (Gwen → [name_f]Jenny[/name_f] / [name_f]Jenna[/name_f] in welsh) which comes from old Celtic windos, but it can be also interpreted as “fair / blessed” and not just white as colour. A fair person in [name_f]English[/name_f] can be also put as a beautiful woman. I personally find these second and third interpretations beautiful. @marysia though is the actual [name_f]English[/name_f] linguistics and literature student here so you might want to ask her as well if it is so important for you.
Yes, you’re completely right as to the origins - windos means white or blessed. Either way, I really think you’re fine! Most people a) won’t know this b) won’t care. There are black Bianca’s, white Ciara’s, and blond Rory’s.