Jeff Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationJEFF / dʒɛfHebrew; 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)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
FL | 8 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 66 |
1881 | 61 |
1882 | 81 |
1883 | 44 |
1884 | 74 |
1885 | 63 |
1886 | 63 |
1887 | 70 |
1888 | 93 |
1889 | 70 |
1890 | 77 |
1891 | 77 |
1892 | 62 |
1893 | 87 |
1894 | 64 |
1895 | 65 |
1896 | 62 |
1897 | 59 |
1898 | 60 |
1899 | 48 |
1900 | 69 |
1901 | 45 |
1902 | 47 |
1903 | 46 |
1904 | 71 |
1905 | 62 |
1906 | 59 |
1907 | 73 |
1908 | 65 |
1909 | 68 |
1910 | 83 |
1911 | 76 |
1912 | 134 |
1913 | 143 |
1914 | 165 |
1915 | 183 |
1916 | 186 |
1917 | 180 |
1918 | 198 |
1919 | 184 |
1920 | 207 |
1921 | 164 |
1922 | 206 |
1923 | 207 |
1924 | 186 |
1925 | 189 |
1926 | 159 |
1927 | 192 |
1928 | 177 |
1929 | 174 |
1930 | 177 |
1931 | 154 |
1932 | 157 |
1933 | 143 |
1934 | 122 |
1935 | 137 |
1936 | 128 |
1937 | 153 |
1938 | 187 |
1939 | 164 |
1940 | 279 |
1941 | 361 |
1942 | 424 |
1943 | 480 |
1944 | 470 |
1945 | 538 |
1946 | 766 |
1947 | 1,007 |
1948 | 888 |
1949 | 696 |
1950 | 539 |
1951 | 567 |
1952 | 659 |
1953 | 847 |
1954 | 976 |
1955 | 1,482 |
1956 | 2,219 |
1957 | 4,092 |
1958 | 5,810 |
1959 | 7,730 |
1960 | 8,511 |
1961 | 9,462 |
1962 | 9,424 |
1963 | 8,108 |
1964 | 6,932 |
1965 | 5,409 |
1966 | 4,387 |
1967 | 3,592 |
1968 | 3,279 |
1969 | 2,973 |
1970 | 2,881 |
1971 | 2,155 |
1972 | 1,540 |
1973 | 1,182 |
1974 | 975 |
1975 | 883 |
1976 | 745 |
1977 | 701 |
1978 | 640 |
1979 | 551 |
1980 | 542 |
1981 | 434 |
1982 | 424 |
1983 | 390 |
1984 | 365 |
1985 | 373 |
1986 | 346 |
1987 | 306 |
1988 | 323 |
1989 | 283 |
1990 | 249 |
1991 | 254 |
1992 | 221 |
1993 | 209 |
1994 | 213 |
1995 | 154 |
1996 | 156 |
1997 | 134 |
1998 | 135 |
1999 | 165 |
2000 | 164 |
2001 | 171 |
2002 | 162 |
2003 | 156 |
2004 | 163 |
2005 | 130 |
2006 | 141 |
2007 | 161 |
2008 | 142 |
2009 | 128 |
2010 | 113 |
2011 | 90 |
2012 | 78 |
2013 | 79 |
2014 | 100 |
2015 | 72 |
2016 | 58 |
2017 | 59 |
2018 | 67 |
2019 | 53 |
2020 | 43 |
2021 | 56 |
2022 | 46 |
2023 | 35 |
2024 | 43 |