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Jeffery Boy

Popularity: #774 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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)

StateBirthsShare
TX 17
17%
OH 12
12%
GA 12
12%
MI 9
9%
CA 7
7%
FL 6
6%
SC 6
6%
TN 6
6%
LA 5
5%
AL 5
5%
NC 5
5%
IL 5
5%
IN 5
5%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18945
19075
19098
19107
191215
191315
191416
191513
191617
191717
191815
191914
192010
192113
192223
192318
192425
192529
192623
192729
192825
192921
193029
193116
193222
193327
193427
193525
193634
193722
193840
193953
1940128
1941204
1942281
1943313
1944336
1945352
1946552
1947744
1948795
19491,049
19501,216
19511,631
19522,186
19533,041
19543,936
19555,464
19566,571
19577,507
19586,837
19597,489
19607,656
19618,924
19629,281
19638,482
19648,360
19657,737
19667,899
19677,229
19687,223
19696,738
19706,701
19716,100
19725,063
19734,407
19744,364
19753,903
19763,564
19773,564
19783,543
19793,357
19803,324
19813,335
19823,313
19833,155
19843,025
19852,947
19862,769
19872,645
19882,584
19892,478
19902,320
19912,121
19921,824
19931,626
19941,416
19951,273
19961,119
19971,080
1998965
1999924
2000837
2001779
2002734
2003697
2004623
2005607
2006643
2007554
2008533
2009479
2010447
2011408
2012373
2013396
2014388
2015305
2016314
2017312
2018259
2019244
2020215
2021183
2022173
2023153
2024150