# Jenkins

> English word · Proper noun · IPA /ˈd͡ʒɛŋkɪnz/ · frequency rank #9,058

## Definitions
1. A surname originating as a patronymic of Cornish and in English ("mainly of Devon") origin.
2. A city in Kentucky.
3. A city in Minnesota.

## Etymology
A patronymic surname that is derived from the male given name John + -kin (which forms diminutive )+ -s (denoting "son of") hence meaning "son of little John". It was originally an offshoot of the male medieval name Jenkin/Jankin. The name was brought from the crusaders; it originated in Cornwall but became popular in England and Wales.

## Easily confused with
- **jerking** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jenkins-vs-jerking)
- **Jennings** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jenkins-vs-jennings)

## Common misspellings (11)
`ejnkins`, `jeknins`, `jenikns`, `jenkinns`, `jenkinss`, `jenkisn`, `jenkkins`, `jenknis`, `jennkins`, `jjenkins`, `jnekins`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/jenkins