Boy · 98th of 7,552
Jeff
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
120,475
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1961
Peak Popularity Year
9,473
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jeff stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Jeff originates from Old French, derived from the Germanic elements meaning 'peaceful pledge'. It evolved through various forms including Geoffroi and Geoffrey before becoming popular as Jeff. The name conveys traits of friendliness and approachability, and it has no specific biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/dʒɛf/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Jeff is derived from the Old French name 'Geoffroi', which itself comes from the Germanic elements 'gisil', meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage', and 'frid', meaning 'peace'.
Meaning
peaceful pledge
Language Evolution
Geoffroi, Geoff, Jeffrey, Jeff
Historical Usage
The name became popular in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages and saw a revival in the 20th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Jeffrey, Geoffrey, Jeffy
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Jeff is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with a casual and laid-back personality.
Famous People
Jeff Bezos, Jeff Bridges, Jeff Goldblum, Jeff Dunham
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 9,473 peak births in 1961
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Oregon
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 6 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 397th of 7545 | 3,578 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 365th of 6773 | 4,425 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 98th of 7552 | 70,715 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 144th of 10718 | 32,435 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 571st of 16616 | 4,700 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1155th of 24088 | 2,233 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2310th of 23106 | 711 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7989th of 9107 | 10 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 9204th of 9204 | 5 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 5047th of 12526 | 114 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 6670th of 19264 | 107 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 17321st of 27321 | 27 |