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Jeff Boy

Popularity: #881 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationJEFF / dʒɛf

Hebrew; English

Meaning

Hebrew: God is gracious; English: derivative of Jeffrey

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Jeff is derived from the Old High German name "Gisulf," which is composed of the elements "gis" meaning "pledge" and "wolf" meaning "wolf." This name evolved through various forms, including the Middle English "Geoffrey," before being shortened to Jeff. The transition into English can be traced back to the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, where the name Geoffrey became popular among the Norman aristocracy and subsequently entered the English vernacular.

Historically, the name Geoffrey has notable associations, including Geoffrey of Monmouth, a 12th-century cleric and historian known for his work "Historia Regum Britanniae," which contributed to the legend of King Arthur. The name was also borne by several English kings and nobles, further embedding it in the cultural fabric of medieval England. By the late Middle Ages, Geoffrey had become a common name, and its diminutive form, Jeff, began to emerge as a familiar and affectionate variant.

Culturally, the name Jeff and its variants have been associated with various literary and historical figures, contributing to its resonance in Western culture. The name has been used in literature and popular culture, often symbolizing loyalty and strength, reflective of its etymological roots. The evolution of Jeff from Geoffrey illustrates the dynamic nature of names and their ability to adapt over time while retaining connections to their linguistic and cultural origins.

Trend Summary

Jeff experienced peak popularity in the mid-20th century but has seen a decline in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Jeffrey
  • Geoffrey

International Variants

  • Jeffrey (English)
  • Geoffrey (English)
  • Giorgio (Italian)

Famous people named Jeff

Jeff Bezos is an entrepreneur best known for founding Amazon, Blue Origin, and The Washington Post.

Jeff Bridges is an actor best known for The Big Lebowski, Crazy Heart, and True Grit.

Jeff Goldblum is an actor best known for Jurassic Park, Independence Day, and The Fly.

Jeff Dunham is a ventriloquist and comedian best known for his stand-up specials and the television series Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity.

Jeff Koons is an artist best known for his large-scale sculptures and works like Balloon Dog and Michael Jackson and Bubbles.

Fictional characters named Jeff

Jeff Winger is a fictional character from the TV show Community. He is a former lawyer who becomes a student at a community college and leads a diverse group of friends through various misadventures.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jeff was first seen in the United States in 1880. Jeff has ranked as high as #95 nationally, which occurred in 1961, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and New York. In the past 5 years the name Jeff has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Jeff (2023)

StateBirthsShare
FL 8
100%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188066
188161
188281
188344
188474
188563
188663
188770
188893
188970
189077
189177
189262
189387
189464
189565
189662
189759
189860
189948
190069
190145
190247
190346
190471
190562
190659
190773
190865
190968
191083
191176
1912134
1913143
1914165
1915183
1916186
1917180
1918198
1919184
1920207
1921164
1922206
1923207
1924186
1925189
1926159
1927192
1928177
1929174
1930177
1931154
1932157
1933143
1934122
1935137
1936128
1937153
1938187
1939164
1940279
1941361
1942424
1943480
1944470
1945538
1946766
19471,007
1948888
1949696
1950539
1951567
1952659
1953847
1954976
19551,482
19562,219
19574,092
19585,810
19597,730
19608,511
19619,462
19629,424
19638,108
19646,932
19655,409
19664,387
19673,592
19683,279
19692,973
19702,881
19712,155
19721,540
19731,182
1974975
1975883
1976745
1977701
1978640
1979551
1980542
1981434
1982424
1983390
1984365
1985373
1986346
1987306
1988323
1989283
1990249
1991254
1992221
1993209
1994213
1995154
1996156
1997134
1998135
1999165
2000164
2001171
2002162
2003156
2004163
2005130
2006141
2007161
2008142
2009128
2010113
201190
201278
201379
2014100
201572
201658
201759
201867
201953
202043
202156
202246
202335
202443