"son of Jeffrey, son of God's peace"
Origin: Old English via Germanic
Language: English
Jefferson
Pronunciation: [ j-EHF-ers-uhn ]
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The founding father's name that declares independence in style
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Meaning & Origin
"God's peace, divine peace"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
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The Story of Jefferson
Jefferson is an English patronymic surname meaning son of Jeffrey, where Jeffrey itself derives from the Germanic Gottfried, composed of god meaning God and frid meaning peace, giving the underlying meaning son of God's peace. The surname became associated primarily with Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, making it one of the most historically resonant American surnames used as a given name.
Jefferson as a given name has been used in America since the 19th century in honor of Thomas Jefferson. It saw resurgence in the late 20th century as Americans embraced presidential surnames as given names. The trend toward three-syllable surname names for boys (Emerson, Anderson, Harrison) has helped Jefferson fit naturally into modern naming patterns.
Thomas Jefferson is one of the founding fathers of the United States, celebrated for the Declaration of Independence, the Louisiana Purchase, and his vision of democratic governance. The name carries a patriotic gravitas specific to American culture. Jefferson Davis was the President of the Confederacy, a more contested historical association that does not typically deter modern use.
Historical Record
Jefferson first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 18,733 babies have been named Jefferson in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jefferson is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #711 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776 at age 33
- Jefferson City, Missouri is the state capital, one of many US places named for Thomas Jefferson
- Jefferson Airplane was a pioneering San Francisco psychedelic rock band of the 1960s-70s
Jefferson in Other Languages
French
Jefferson
German
Jefferson
Spanish
Jefferson
Japanese
Jefferson
Portuguese
Jefferson
Popularity Over Time
#711
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Jefferson
J
Jefferson Starship
Musician
1965
Iconic San Francisco rock band evolved from Jefferson Airplane, known for White Rabbit and Somebody to Love
T
Thomas Jefferson
Politician
1743
Third President of the United States and primary author of the Declaration of Independence
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Compare Jefferson with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #711
- Total SSA Count
- 374
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jeff
Jef
Sonny
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jefferson
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Old French origin
"beautiful friend, fair friend"
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Saul
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Biblical Hebrew origin
"requested of God"
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Japanese Kaizen (coincidental association) origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jefferson
What does the name Jefferson mean?
"son of Jeffrey, son of God's peace" (from Old English via Germanic). "God's peace, divine peace" (from Germanic). Jefferson is an English patronymic surname meaning son of Jeffrey, where Jeffrey itself derives from the Germanic Gottfried, composed of god meaning God and frid meaning peace, giving the underlying meaning son of God's peace. The surname became associated primarily with Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, making it one of the most historically resonant American surnames used as a given name.
What is the origin of the name Jefferson?
Jefferson has Old English via Germanic, Germanic, American, and English origins. In Old English via Germanic, it means "son of Jeffrey, son of God's peace". In Germanic, it means "God's peace, divine peace".
Is Jefferson a boy or girl name?
Jefferson is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Jefferson?
Jefferson is pronounced j-EHF-ers-uhn.
How popular is the name Jefferson?
Jefferson is currently ranked #711 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jefferson?
Common nicknames for Jefferson include Jeff, Jef, and Sonny.
What are good middle names for Jefferson?
Popular middle name pairings include Jefferson James, Jefferson Lee, Jefferson Davis, Jefferson Grant, Jefferson Cole, Jefferson Thomas, and Jefferson William.
What are good sibling names for Jefferson?
Names that pair well with Jefferson as siblings include Lincoln, Madison, Harrison, Monroe, Hamilton, Franklin, and Kennedy.
How many syllables does Jefferson have?
Jefferson has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Jefferson a common or rare name?
Jefferson is moderately common, ranked #711 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Jefferson?
About the Name Jefferson
Jefferson is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "son of Jeffrey, son of God's peace" in Old English via Germanic .
Jefferson is currently ranked #711 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jefferson has 3 syllables and is pronounced j-EHF-ers-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Jefferson include Jeff, Jef, and Sonny. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Jefferson include Jeffrey, Jeffery, Jeff . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis