"pledge of peace, divine peace"
Origin: Germanic via Old French
Language: English
Jeffery
Pronunciation: [ j-EHF-er-ee ]
Boy Name
#1,306 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
A classic name of peace with deep Norman roots
English
American
French
Classic
Traditional
Vintage
Strong
Meaning & Origin
"traveler of peace"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Things to Know About This Name
- Jeffrey Dahmer (serial killer convicted 1992) gives the name a dark shadow for some parents; alternative spellings like Jeffery provide modest psychological distance
The Story of Jeffery
Jeffery is an alternative spelling of Jeffrey, derived from the Old French 'Geoffroi,' a Norman French form of Germanic names meaning either 'God-peace' (Godefrid) or 'traveler of peace' (Gautefrid). The Normans brought Geoffrey to England after the 1066 conquest, and it quickly became one of England's most popular names. Geoffrey Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales, was its most famous medieval bearer.
Jeffrey (and variants including Jeffery) was massively popular in the United States from the 1940s through the 1970s, regularly ranking in the top 15 boys' names. It began declining in the 1990s. The association with Jeffrey Dahmer, convicted in 1992, accelerated the decline.
Geoffrey/Jeffrey has been a staple of English and American naming for nearly 1,000 years since the Norman Conquest. It was common among English aristocracy, appears in Arthurian legend (Geoffrey of Monmouth), and in the 20th century became strongly associated with the American Baby Boomer generation.
Fun Facts
- Geoffrey Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales (c.1390), is the most famous medieval bearer of this name
- Jeffrey was a top-10 name in the US in 1963, the peak year for this name family
- Geoffrey of Monmouth (1100-1155) wrote the foundational text of Arthurian legend, popularizing King Arthur across Europe
Jeffery in Other Languages
French
Geoffrey/Geoffroy
German
Gottfried
Italian
Goffredo
Spanish
Godofredo
Famous People Named Jeffery
J
Jeff Bezos
Business
1964
American entrepreneur and founder of Amazon.com, one of the world's most influential business leaders
G
Geoffrey Chaucer
Writer
1343
The Father of English literature, author of The Canterbury Tales, the foundational work of English poetry
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,306
- Total SSA Count
- 150
- Cultural Origins
- English American French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jeff
Jeffy
Pairs Well With
Jeffery Alan
Jeffery Scott
Jeffery James
Jeffery Michael
Jeffery Dean
Jeffery Wayne
Jeffery Lee
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Jeffery is also used as a girl name, ranked #67011.
View Jeffery as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jeffery
What does the name Jeffery mean?
"pledge of peace, divine peace" (from Germanic via Old French). "traveler of peace" (from Germanic). Jeffery is an alternative spelling of Jeffrey, derived from the Old French 'Geoffroi,' a Norman French form of Germanic names meaning either 'God-peace' (Godefrid) or 'traveler of peace' (Gautefrid). The Normans brought Geoffrey to England after the 1066 conquest, and it quickly became one of England's most popular names. Geoffrey Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales, was its most famous medieval bearer.
What is the origin of the name Jeffery?
Jeffery has Germanic via Old French, Germanic, English, American, and French origins. In Germanic via Old French, it means "pledge of peace, divine peace". In Germanic, it means "traveler of peace".
Is Jeffery a boy or girl name?
Jeffery is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1306. As a girl name, it is ranked #67011. Jeffery is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Jeffery?
Jeffery is pronounced j-EHF-er-ee.
How popular is the name Jeffery?
Jeffery is currently ranked #1306 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jeffery?
Common nicknames for Jeffery include Jeff and Jeffy.
What are good middle names for Jeffery?
Popular middle name pairings include Jeffery Alan, Jeffery Scott, Jeffery James, Jeffery Michael, Jeffery Dean, Jeffery Wayne, and Jeffery Lee.
What are good sibling names for Jeffery?
Names that pair well with Jeffery as siblings include David, Brian, Mark, Susan, Karen, Linda, and Robert.
How many syllables does Jeffery have?
Jeffery has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Jeffery a common or rare name?
Jeffery is an uncommon name, ranked #1306 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Jeffery
Jeffery is a boy name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "pledge of peace, divine peace" in Germanic via Old French .
Is Jeffery a boy or girl name? Jeffery is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,306 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #67,011. Jeffery is more commonly used as a boy name.
Jeffery is currently ranked #1,306 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jeffery has 3 syllables and is pronounced j-EHF-er-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Jeffery include Jeff and Jeffy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Jeffery include Jeffrey, Jefferson, Jeff . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.