Log in · Sign up

Jeffrey Boy

Popularity: #459 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationJEFF-ree / /ˈdʒɛf.ri/

Old French; Germanic

Meaning

Old French: 'peaceful pledge'; Germanic: 'divine peace'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Jeffrey has its roots in the Old French name "Geoffroi," which itself is derived from the Germanic elements "gāiz" meaning "gift" and "frid" meaning "peace." The name entered the English language after the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, where it was adapted into various forms, including "Geoffrey" and later "Jeffrey." Over time, the spelling evolved, and by the Middle Ages, the name was commonly used in England, often associated with nobility and landowners.

One of the notable historical figures bearing this name was Geoffrey of Monmouth, a 12th-century cleric and historian who is best known for his work "Historia Regum Britanniae," which chronicles the history of Britain and includes the legendary tales of King Arthur. His writings significantly influenced the development of Arthurian legend and contributed to the cultural landscape of medieval England. The name Jeffrey also appears in various forms in literature and historical texts throughout the centuries, further embedding it in the cultural consciousness.

Culturally, the name Jeffrey has been associated with qualities such as nobility and peace, reflecting its etymological roots. In addition to its historical significance, the name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, often adapted to fit linguistic norms. Diminutive forms such as "Jeff" have emerged, showcasing the name's versatility and enduring appeal. Overall, Jeffrey carries a rich historical legacy, marked by its linguistic evolution and cultural significance throughout the ages.

Trend Summary

Jeffrey experienced significant popularity in the United States from the 1940s to the 1990s.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Geoffrey
  • Jeffery
  • Jeff

International Variants

  • Gottfried (German)
  • Goffredo (Italian)
  • Joffrey (French)

Famous people named Jeffrey

Jeffrey Archer is a novelist and politician best known for Kane and Abel, The Clifton Chronicles, and As the Crow Flies.

Jeffrey Tambor is an actor best known for Transparent, Arrested Development, and The Larry Sanders Show.

Jeffrey Wright is an actor best known for Westworld, Basquiat, and The Hunger Games series.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan is an actor best known for The Walking Dead, Supernatural, and Watchmen.

Jeffrey Katzenberg is a film producer and entrepreneur best known for co-founding DreamWorks and serving as chairman of Walt Disney Studios.

Jeffrey Eugenides is an author best known for Middlesex, The Virgin Suicides, and The Marriage Plot.

Jeffrey Combs is an actor best known for Re-Animator, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and The Frighteners.

Jeffrey Zeldman is a web designer and author best known for his work in web standards and founding A List Apart magazine.

Jeffrey Loria is a businessman and art dealer best known for owning the Florida Marlins and the Miami Marlins.

Jeffrey R. Immelt is a business executive best known for serving as the CEO of General Electric.

Fictional characters named Jeffrey

Jeffrey is a fictional character from the film Jeffrey. He is a gay man navigating love and relationships in New York City during the AIDS crisis.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jeffrey was first seen in the United States in 1885. Jeffrey has ranked as high as #14 nationally, which occurred in 1962, and has been most popular in California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Jeffrey has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Jeffrey (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 55
11%
FL 46
9%
TX 41
8%
NY 32
6%
PA 29
6%
GA 26
5%
NC 26
5%
OH 25
5%
MD 19
4%
MI 16
3%
IL 16
3%
TN 16
3%
VA 16
3%
MO 13
3%
CT 13
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18855
19107
19116
191212
191313
191411
191521
191621
191718
191816
191922
192022
192119
192230
192327
192431
192526
192627
192726
192836
192919
193034
193116
193237
193336
193447
193543
193669
193787
1938156
1939378
1940799
19411,501
19422,055
19432,171
19442,326
19452,782
19464,125
19475,666
19485,930
19496,987
19507,643
19519,715
195212,008
195315,950
195419,051
195522,531
195623,282
195723,980
195824,223
195926,280
196028,829
196132,028
196233,536
196331,699
196430,729
196529,577
196630,199
196728,084
196828,367
196928,965
197030,142
197125,835
197221,677
197319,215
197419,322
197518,317
197617,014
197717,479
197816,993
197916,867
198016,384
198115,932
198216,031
198315,653
198414,759
198514,501
198613,650
198713,477
198812,399
198912,012
199010,980
19919,894
19928,471
19937,536
19946,525
19955,731
19965,263
19974,582
19984,190
19993,815
20003,563
20013,207
20023,000
20032,885
20042,723
20052,425
20062,267
20072,131
20081,998
20091,719
20101,625
20111,439
20121,508
20131,406
20141,379
20151,260
20161,172
20171,056
20181,015
2019881
2020794
2021727
2022679
2023621
2024587