Jeffery Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationJEFF-ree / /ˈdʒɛfəri/English; German
Meaning
English: God's peace; German: traveler
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jeffery is derived from the Old High German name "Gislebert," which is composed of the elements "gisil," meaning "pledge" or "hostage," and "beraht," meaning "bright" or "famous." This name evolved through various forms, including the Old French "Geoffroi," before entering the English language as "Jeffrey" or "Jeffery" in the medieval period. The transition from Old High German to Old French and then to Middle English reflects the linguistic influences of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which brought many Old French names into English usage.
Historically, the name Jeffery gained prominence in England during the Middle Ages, with notable figures such as Geoffrey Chaucer, the renowned poet of the 14th century, contributing to its recognition. Chaucer's works, particularly "The Canterbury Tales," helped to solidify the name's place in English literature. Additionally, the name appears in various forms in historical records, including the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists individuals named Geoffrey, indicating its early adoption in England.
Culturally, the name Jeffery has been associated with qualities of brightness and nobility, stemming from its etymological roots. The name has also been linked to various saints and ecclesiastical figures throughout history, further embedding it in the cultural and religious fabric of medieval Europe. The diminutive form "Jeff" has emerged as a common variant, although it is more contemporary. Overall, the name Jeffery carries a legacy that reflects its Germanic origins, medieval significance, and enduring cultural associations.
Trend Summary
Jeffery experienced peak popularity in the United States during the 1940s to 1960s.
Similar Names
Variants
- Jeff
- Geoffrey
- Jeffrey
International Variants
- Geoffrey (English)
- Gottfried (German)
- Jeffrey (English)
Famous people named Jeffery
Jeffery Deaver is an author best known for The Bone Collector, The Devil's Teardrop, and the Lincoln Rhyme series.
Jeffery Tambor is an actor best known for Arrested Development, Transparent, and The Larry Sanders Show.
Jeffery Wright is an actor best known for Westworld, Basquiat, and The Hunger Games series.
Jeffery Gitomer is a sales trainer and author best known for The Little Red Book of Selling, The Sales Bible, and Customer Satisfaction is Worthless.
Jeffery Jones is an actor best known for Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Beetlejuice, and The Devil's Advocate.
Fictional characters named Jeffery
Jeffery is a fictional character from the animated television series The Magic School Bus. He is a classmate of the main characters who often participates in their educational adventures.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Jeffery was first seen in the United States in 1894. Jeffery has ranked as high as #92 nationally, which occurred in 1962, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. In the past 5 years the name Jeffery has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Jeffery (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
TX | 17 | |
OH | 12 | |
GA | 12 | |
MI | 9 | |
CA | 7 | |
FL | 6 | |
SC | 6 | |
TN | 6 | |
LA | 5 | |
AL | 5 | |
NC | 5 | |
IL | 5 | |
IN | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1894 | 5 |
1907 | 5 |
1909 | 8 |
1910 | 7 |
1912 | 15 |
1913 | 15 |
1914 | 16 |
1915 | 13 |
1916 | 17 |
1917 | 17 |
1918 | 15 |
1919 | 14 |
1920 | 10 |
1921 | 13 |
1922 | 23 |
1923 | 18 |
1924 | 25 |
1925 | 29 |
1926 | 23 |
1927 | 29 |
1928 | 25 |
1929 | 21 |
1930 | 29 |
1931 | 16 |
1932 | 22 |
1933 | 27 |
1934 | 27 |
1935 | 25 |
1936 | 34 |
1937 | 22 |
1938 | 40 |
1939 | 53 |
1940 | 128 |
1941 | 204 |
1942 | 281 |
1943 | 313 |
1944 | 336 |
1945 | 352 |
1946 | 552 |
1947 | 744 |
1948 | 795 |
1949 | 1,049 |
1950 | 1,216 |
1951 | 1,631 |
1952 | 2,186 |
1953 | 3,041 |
1954 | 3,936 |
1955 | 5,464 |
1956 | 6,571 |
1957 | 7,507 |
1958 | 6,837 |
1959 | 7,489 |
1960 | 7,656 |
1961 | 8,924 |
1962 | 9,281 |
1963 | 8,482 |
1964 | 8,360 |
1965 | 7,737 |
1966 | 7,899 |
1967 | 7,229 |
1968 | 7,223 |
1969 | 6,738 |
1970 | 6,701 |
1971 | 6,100 |
1972 | 5,063 |
1973 | 4,407 |
1974 | 4,364 |
1975 | 3,903 |
1976 | 3,564 |
1977 | 3,564 |
1978 | 3,543 |
1979 | 3,357 |
1980 | 3,324 |
1981 | 3,335 |
1982 | 3,313 |
1983 | 3,155 |
1984 | 3,025 |
1985 | 2,947 |
1986 | 2,769 |
1987 | 2,645 |
1988 | 2,584 |
1989 | 2,478 |
1990 | 2,320 |
1991 | 2,121 |
1992 | 1,824 |
1993 | 1,626 |
1994 | 1,416 |
1995 | 1,273 |
1996 | 1,119 |
1997 | 1,080 |
1998 | 965 |
1999 | 924 |
2000 | 837 |
2001 | 779 |
2002 | 734 |
2003 | 697 |
2004 | 623 |
2005 | 607 |
2006 | 643 |
2007 | 554 |
2008 | 533 |
2009 | 479 |
2010 | 447 |
2011 | 408 |
2012 | 373 |
2013 | 396 |
2014 | 388 |
2015 | 305 |
2016 | 314 |
2017 | 312 |
2018 | 259 |
2019 | 244 |
2020 | 215 |
2021 | 183 |
2022 | 173 |
2023 | 153 |
2024 | 150 |