Jeffrey is a name of English origin that has been in use for centuries. It is derived from the name Geoffrey, which was brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name Geoffrey is ultimately of Germanic origin and means "pledge of peace." Therefore, Jeffrey also carries this meaning.
The name Jeffrey first appeared in English records in the early 13th century. It was initially more common in the north of England, but over time it spread throughout the country. In the late Middle Ages, Jeffrey became quite popular among the nobility and gentry, and it remained a popular choice for centuries.
Today, Jeffrey is still widely used as a given name for boys. According to some sources, it ranked among the top 100 most popular boy names in the United States during the late 20th century. However, its popularity has waned slightly in recent years.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Jeffrey or one of its variants. These include Jeffrey Archer, a British politician and novelist; Jeffrey Eugenides, an American Pulitzer Prize-winning author; and Jeffrey Tambor, an American actor known for his roles on television shows such as "The Larry Sanders Show" and "Arrested Development."
In literature, Jeffrey is also the name of the protagonist in "Jeffrey," a 1978 play by Paul Osborn. The character is a young man who struggles with alcoholism and attempts to rebuild his life after hitting rock bottom.
Overall, Jeffrey is a classic English name with a long history and a strong meaning behind it. Its popularity has ebbed and flowed over the centuries, but it remains a popular choice for parents looking for a traditional yet distinctive name for their sons.
The name Jeffrey has seen a significant variation in popularity over the years in the United States. The earliest data available starts in 1941 with just 7 births that year. This number increased steadily, reaching a peak of 140 births in 1970.
However, after this peak, the popularity of the name Jeffrey began to decline significantly. Between 1971 and 2003, there were only 5 years where more than 50 babies were named Jeffrey at birth. In fact, from 1989 onwards, the number of births with the name Jeffrey did not exceed 40 until it reached a low point in 2003 with just 12 births.
After this low point, there was another slight increase in popularity with 5 births in 2012. However, overall, the name Jeffrey has seen a significant decrease in popularity over the years, with the total number of births being 3498 from 1941 to 2012.
Despite this decline in popularity, it is important to note that names often go through cycles of popularity and Jeffrey was particularly popular during the mid-twentieth century. The name may still hold special meaning for many families and continue to be used even if it is not as commonly heard today.
Moreover, statistics do not tell the whole story about a name's significance or popularity. They simply provide a snapshot of historical trends in naming practices. Each name has its own unique history and personal meaning for those who choose to use it.