Jeffrey Boy
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)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
CA | 55 | |
FL | 46 | |
TX | 41 | |
NY | 32 | |
PA | 29 | |
GA | 26 | |
NC | 26 | |
OH | 25 | |
MD | 19 | |
MI | 16 | |
IL | 16 | |
TN | 16 | |
VA | 16 | |
MO | 13 | |
CT | 13 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1885 | 5 |
1910 | 7 |
1911 | 6 |
1912 | 12 |
1913 | 13 |
1914 | 11 |
1915 | 21 |
1916 | 21 |
1917 | 18 |
1918 | 16 |
1919 | 22 |
1920 | 22 |
1921 | 19 |
1922 | 30 |
1923 | 27 |
1924 | 31 |
1925 | 26 |
1926 | 27 |
1927 | 26 |
1928 | 36 |
1929 | 19 |
1930 | 34 |
1931 | 16 |
1932 | 37 |
1933 | 36 |
1934 | 47 |
1935 | 43 |
1936 | 69 |
1937 | 87 |
1938 | 156 |
1939 | 378 |
1940 | 799 |
1941 | 1,501 |
1942 | 2,055 |
1943 | 2,171 |
1944 | 2,326 |
1945 | 2,782 |
1946 | 4,125 |
1947 | 5,666 |
1948 | 5,930 |
1949 | 6,987 |
1950 | 7,643 |
1951 | 9,715 |
1952 | 12,008 |
1953 | 15,950 |
1954 | 19,051 |
1955 | 22,531 |
1956 | 23,282 |
1957 | 23,980 |
1958 | 24,223 |
1959 | 26,280 |
1960 | 28,829 |
1961 | 32,028 |
1962 | 33,536 |
1963 | 31,699 |
1964 | 30,729 |
1965 | 29,577 |
1966 | 30,199 |
1967 | 28,084 |
1968 | 28,367 |
1969 | 28,965 |
1970 | 30,142 |
1971 | 25,835 |
1972 | 21,677 |
1973 | 19,215 |
1974 | 19,322 |
1975 | 18,317 |
1976 | 17,014 |
1977 | 17,479 |
1978 | 16,993 |
1979 | 16,867 |
1980 | 16,384 |
1981 | 15,932 |
1982 | 16,031 |
1983 | 15,653 |
1984 | 14,759 |
1985 | 14,501 |
1986 | 13,650 |
1987 | 13,477 |
1988 | 12,399 |
1989 | 12,012 |
1990 | 10,980 |
1991 | 9,894 |
1992 | 8,471 |
1993 | 7,536 |
1994 | 6,525 |
1995 | 5,731 |
1996 | 5,263 |
1997 | 4,582 |
1998 | 4,190 |
1999 | 3,815 |
2000 | 3,563 |
2001 | 3,207 |
2002 | 3,000 |
2003 | 2,885 |
2004 | 2,723 |
2005 | 2,425 |
2006 | 2,267 |
2007 | 2,131 |
2008 | 1,998 |
2009 | 1,719 |
2010 | 1,625 |
2011 | 1,439 |
2012 | 1,508 |
2013 | 1,406 |
2014 | 1,379 |
2015 | 1,260 |
2016 | 1,172 |
2017 | 1,056 |
2018 | 1,015 |
2019 | 881 |
2020 | 794 |
2021 | 727 |
2022 | 679 |
2023 | 621 |
2024 | 587 |