All about the name

Jeffrey

Female

« Jeffrey is an English name of Germanic origin that means "pledge of peace," derived from Geoffrey which was brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066. »

#3166 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

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.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Jeffrey since 1880

Total births
3,498
Total since 1880
Peak year
1970
140 births
in 2012
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years