Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Jefferey is an Old French name that has roots in Germanic elements meaning 'divine peace'. It evolved from Geoffroi to Geoffrey and then to Jeffrey and Jefferey. The name reflects traits of warmth and familiarity, with no biblical relevance. It rose to prominence during the Norman Conquest and has notable figures associated with it.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɛfəri/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
Jefferey is derived from the Old French name 'Geoffroi', which itself comes from the Germanic elements 'god' meaning 'god' and 'frid' meaning 'peace'.
Meaning
Divine peace
Language Evolution
Geoffroi, Geoffrey, Jeffrey, Jefferey
Historical Usage
Jefferey gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, becoming a common name among the nobility.
Variants & Derivatives
Geoffrey, Jeffrey, Jeff, Jef
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Jefferey is viewed as a classic name that has a sense of warmth and familiarity, though it has seen a decline in popularity in recent years.
Famous People
Jeffrey Archer, Jeffrey Eugenides, Jeffery Deaver
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 141 peak births in 1969
Geographic Spread
Popular across 22 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (21 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 21 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6316th of 6773 | 8 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 965th of 7552 | 1,138 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 819th of 10718 | 1,580 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1399th of 16616 | 963 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5133rd of 24088 | 251 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 14070th of 23106 | 33 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
32.78% 730th/2227 |
39.05% 949th/2430 |
48.02% 1370th/2853 |
27.53% 764th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
24.41% 717th/2937 |
35.69% 1243rd/3483 |
31.24% 1099th/3518 |
18.82% 761st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
48.49% 1787th/3685 |
35.35% 1582nd/4475 |
34.83% 1809th/5194 |
19.17% 1211th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
62.03% 4629th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in California across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6316th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 965th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 819th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1399th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5133rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 14070th out of 23106 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.