"pledge of peace, divine peace"
Origin: Germanic via Old French
Language: English
Jeffery
Pronunciation: [ j-EHF-er-ee ]
Does Jeffery flow with your last name?
A classic name of peace with deep Norman roots
English
American
French
Classic
Traditional
Vintage
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Jeffery
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Jeffery
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"traveler of peace"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Jeffery
See all →What the Jeffery report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Jeffery the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Jeffery
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Jeffery head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Jeffery actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
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.
Historical Record
Jeffery first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 225,022 babies have been named Jeffery in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jeffery is past its peak , currently ranked #1,306 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#1,306
Current Rank
Peaked 1966
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Maddux
Boy
"fortunate, good luck"
#1,395
Elvis
Boy
"all wise (from Norse Alviss)"
#1,171
Kendrix
Boy
"son of Henry"
#1,329
Genesis
Boy
"beginning, origin"
#1,149
Blaise
Boy
"flame, fiery one"
#1,109
Compare Jeffery with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jeffery
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Jeffery fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Jeffery is also used as a girl name, ranked #67011.
View Jeffery as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Jeffery →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Jeffery with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Jeffery
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Jeffery and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Jeffery sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Maddux
Boy
Welsh (mad — fortunate) origin
"fortunate, good luck"
#1,395 in US
Elvis
Boy
Old Norse origin
"all wise (from Norse Alviss)"
#1,171 in US
Kendrix
Boy
Welsh origin
"son of Henry"
#1,329 in US
Genesis
Boy
Hebrew via Greek origin
"beginning, origin"
#1,149 in US
Blaise
Boy
Popular etymology origin
"flame, fiery one"
#1,109 in US
Kaycen
Boy
Irish Gaelic (Casey) origin
"vigilant, watchful"
#1,214 in US
Xzavier
Boy
Arabic origin
"bright, splendid"
#1,260 in US
Dale
Boy
Old English/Old Norse origin
"valley dweller, from the valley"
#1,309 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Jeffery's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
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.
What boy names are similar to Jeffery?
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.
Keep Exploring
Germanic via Old French Names
Browse all names with this origin
J
Names Starting with J
More boy names like Jeffery
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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