Jefferson

Pronunciation: [ j-EHF-ers-uhn ]

Boy Name #711 Most Popular Rising 3 Syllables

The founding father's name that declares independence in style

American English

Classic Strong Literary Bold Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"son of Jeffrey, son of God's peace"

Origin: Old English via Germanic

Language: English

"God's peace, divine peace"

Origin: Germanic

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Jefferson

Jefferson Starship

Musician

1965

Iconic San Francisco rock band evolved from Jefferson Airplane, known for White Rabbit and Somebody to Love

Thomas Jefferson

Politician

1743

Third President of the United States and primary author of the Declaration of Independence

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

Jeffrey #521 Jeffery #1306 Jeff #2932

Common Nicknames

Jeff Jef Sonny

Pairs Well With

Jefferson James Jefferson Lee Jefferson Davis Jefferson Grant Jefferson Cole Jefferson Thomas Jefferson William

Sibling Names

Lincoln Madison Harrison Monroe Hamilton Franklin Kennedy

Similar Names

Anderson Johnson Henderson Edson Ellison Cameron Thompson Jeffrey

Playground Safety

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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.

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.