Godfrey Boy

Popularity: #928 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GOD-free //ˈɡɒd.fri//

Origin: Old French; Germanic

Meaning: Old French: God's peace; Germanic: peace of God

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Godfrey has its roots in the Old High German name "Gottfried," which is composed of the elements "got" meaning "God" and "frid" meaning "peace." This name was adopted into Latin as "Godefridus" and later into Old French as "Godefroi," before making its way into Middle English as "Godfrey." The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many Norman names were introduced into the English language and culture. Historically, the name Godfrey has been borne by several notable figures, including Godfrey of Bouillon, a leader of the First Crusade in the late 11th century, who became the first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

His legacy contributed to the name's prominence in medieval Europe. Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts and documents throughout the Middle Ages, often associated with nobility and chivalric ideals.

The name was also used in the context of saints, notably Saint Godfrey, a 10th-century bishop of Amiens, which further solidified its significance in Christian contexts. Culturally, Godfrey has been associated with themes of divine protection and peace, reflecting the meanings of its components.

The name has been used in various literary works and has appeared in different forms across cultures, including diminutives like "Godfrey" and "Gottfried." Its enduring presence in historical records and literature underscores its resonance in the collective memory of European history, particularly in relation to themes of faith, leadership, and the ideals of knighthood.

Famous people named Godfrey

In this section, you will find notable people named Godfrey. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Godfrey who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Godfrey who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Godfrey Gao was a model and actor best known for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, and his role in the Taiwanese drama The Prince of Tennis.

Godfrey Cambridge was an actor and comedian best known for The Last Poets, and his performances in the films Watermelon Man and The Liberation of L.B. Jones.

Fictional characters named Godfrey

The following list of fictional characters named Godfrey is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Godfrey is a fictional character from the film My Man Godfrey. He is a homeless man who becomes the butler for a wealthy family, ultimately helping them discover the value of humility.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Godfrey, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

GeoffreyGideonGrahamGalenGavinGareth

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Godfrey. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

GordonGideonGalenGarethGrahamGriffinGustav

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Godfrey was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Godfrey has ranked as high as #1588 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in New York, Louisiana, California, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

In the past 5 years the name Godfrey has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Godfrey is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Godfrey was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Godfrey.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 10 10
2024 7 7
2023 9 9
2022 10 10
2021 13 13
2020 12 12
2019 14 14
2018 10 10
2017 8 8
2016 8 8
2015 6 6
2014 13 13
2013 12 12
2012 16 16
2011 9 9
2010 11 11
2009 5 5
2007 12 12
2006 8 8
2005 12 12
2004 12 12
2003 8 8
2002 13 13
2001 8 8
2000 8 8
1999 17 17
1998 15 15
1997 10 10
1996 18 18
1995 19 19
1994 15 15
1993 19 19
1992 13 13
1991 17 17
1990 23 23
1989 21 21
1988 19 19
1987 17 17
1986 15 15
1985 23 23
1984 15 15
1983 19 19
1982 23 23
1981 21 21
1980 23 23
1979 18 18
1978 19 19
1977 22 22
1976 23 23
1975 21 21
1974 13 13
1973 18 18
1972 30 30
1971 22 22
1970 23 23
1969 24 24
1968 20 20
1967 22 22
1966 21 21
1965 14 14
1964 33 33
1963 31 31
1962 33 33
1961 40 40
1960 31 31
1959 34 34
1958 43 43
1957 35 35
1956 37 37
1955 39 39
1954 34 34
1953 40 40
1952 34 34
1951 37 37
1950 39 39
1949 41 41
1948 55 55
1947 54 54
1946 39 39
1945 31 31
1944 29 29
1943 33 33
1942 31 31
1941 19 19
1940 37 37
1939 30 30
1938 32 32
1937 23 23
1936 29 29
1935 28 28
1934 29 29
1933 19 19
1932 33 33
1931 41 41
1930 35 35
1929 37 37
1928 38 38
1927 48 48
1926 53 53
1925 48 48
1924 41 41
1923 56 56
1922 35 35
1921 55 55
1920 57 57
1919 53 53
1918 71 71
1917 61 61
1916 38 38
1915 46 46
1914 39 39
1913 31 31
1912 34 34
1911 11 11
1910 11 11
1909 11 11
1908 6 6
1907 8 8
1906 14 14
1905 13 13
1904 12 12
1903 5 5
1902 6 6
1900 10 10
1899 9 9
1898 11 11
1897 9 9
1896 9 9
1895 10 10
1894 6 6
1893 9 9
1892 7 7
1890 9 9
1889 6 6
1888 13 13
1887 8 8
1886 10 10
1885 10 10
1884 9 9
1883 10 10
1881 9 9
1880 9 9

Top States for Godfrey (2012)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 5
100%