"pledge of peace"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Jeffrey
Pronunciation: [ j-EHFR-ee ]
Does Jeffrey flow with your last name?
A distinguished name meaning pledge of peace
English
American
French
Classic
Vintage
Traditional
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"divine peace"
Origin: Old French
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Jeffrey Dahmer, convicted serial killer (prominent since 1991 trial)
The Story of Jeffrey
Jeffrey is the English form of the Old French Geoffroi, derived from Germanic elements including 'gawia' (territory) or 'god' (good) combined with 'fred' (peace), meaning 'pledge of peace' or 'divine peace.' The name was introduced to England by the Normans after 1066. Geoffrey of Monmouth, who wrote the legendary History of the Kings of Britain in the 12th century, was among its most famous medieval bearers.
Jeffrey was one of the most popular names in the US from the 1940s through the 1970s, ranking #3 nationally in 1966. It has declined significantly since, partly due to the notoriety of Jeffrey Dahmer. Today it carries a distinctly mid-century, baby boomer feel.
Geoffrey Chaucer, father of English literature, made this name resonate through literary history. In the US, Jeffrey's mid-century peak made it a quintessential name of the Baby Boomer and early Gen X generations.
Historical Record
Jeffrey first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 943,389 babies have been named Jeffrey in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jeffrey is past its peak , currently ranked #521 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jeffrey was the #3 most popular baby name in the US in 1966
- Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales, one of the most foundational works in the English literary canon
Jeffrey in Other Languages
French
Geoffroi
German
Gottfried
Italian
Goffredo
Spanish
Godofredo
Popularity Over Time
#521
Current Rank
Peaked 1966
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Jeffrey
J
Jeff Bezos
Business
1964
Founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, one of the world's wealthiest entrepreneurs
G
Geoffrey Chaucer
Writer
1343
Medieval English poet known as the Father of English Literature, author of The Canterbury Tales
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #521
- Total SSA Count
- 587
- Cultural Origins
- English American French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jeff
Jeffy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jeffrey
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Jeffrey is also used as a girl name, ranked #66040.
View Jeffrey as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jeffrey
What does the name Jeffrey mean?
"pledge of peace" (from Germanic). "divine peace" (from Old French). Jeffrey is the English form of the Old French Geoffroi, derived from Germanic elements including 'gawia' (territory) or 'god' (good) combined with 'fred' (peace), meaning 'pledge of peace' or 'divine peace.' The name was introduced to England by the Normans after 1066. Geoffrey of Monmouth, who wrote the legendary History of the Kings of Britain in the 12th century, was among its most famous medieval bearers.
What is the origin of the name Jeffrey?
Jeffrey has Germanic, Old French, English, American, and French origins. In Germanic, it means "pledge of peace". In Old French, it means "divine peace".
Is Jeffrey a boy or girl name?
Jeffrey is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #521. As a girl name, it is ranked #66040. Jeffrey is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Jeffrey?
Jeffrey is pronounced j-EHFR-ee.
How popular is the name Jeffrey?
Jeffrey is currently ranked #521 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jeffrey?
Common nicknames for Jeffrey include Jeff and Jeffy.
What are good middle names for Jeffrey?
Popular middle name pairings include Jeffrey James, Jeffrey Michael, Jeffrey Robert, Jeffrey Alan, Jeffrey Scott, Jeffrey Thomas, and Jeffrey Lee.
What are good sibling names for Jeffrey?
Names that pair well with Jeffrey as siblings include Brian, Kevin, Craig, Karen, Lisa, Sandra, and Scott.
How many syllables does Jeffrey have?
Jeffrey has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Jeffrey a common or rare name?
Jeffrey is moderately common, ranked #521 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Jeffrey?
About the Name Jeffrey
Jeffrey is a boy name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "pledge of peace" in Germanic .
Is Jeffrey a boy or girl name? Jeffrey is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #521 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #66,040. Jeffrey is more commonly used as a boy name.
Jeffrey is currently ranked #521 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jeffrey has 3 syllables and is pronounced j-EHFR-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Jeffrey include Jeff and Jeffy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Jeffrey include Jefferson, 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