Jeff
Jeff: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /d͡ʒɛf/
Meaning and origin of Jeff
Root meaning: “peace, sanctuary”
- A diminutive of the male given names Jeffrey, Jeffery, Jefferey, Jeffry, and Jefferson.
Etymology
From Jeffrey, a variant of Geoffrey, from Middle English Geffrey, from an Old French aristocratic name, Geoffroi [dʒɔfreʲ] (> West Middle French Geoffrey, East Middle French Geoffroy), itself from Proto-French forms (latinized in -us) Jotfredus, Jozsfredus, Josfredus (10th century) and Jof[f]redus, Jofridus, Jaufredus, Geffredus (11th century), and ultimately of Proto-Germanic origin. The second element is *friþuz (“peace, sanctuary”). The first element may be *gautaz (“a Geat, a Goth”) [making the Proto-Germanic term *Gautafriþu], as opposed to *gōdaz (“good”) or *gudą (“god”) in Godfrey; this would also make it related to Jocelyn. The name was introduced to England by the Normans in the 11
How popular is Jeff?
Since 1880, 263 girls and 120,239 boys in the U.S. have been named Jeff (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2768 in 1960. Its highest rank for boys was #44 in 1962. In 2025, 35 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Jeff
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Jeff
Names that peaked around the same time as Jeff and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Jeff FAQ
What does the name Jeff mean?
Jeff traces back to a root meaning "peace, sanctuary". A diminutive of the male given names Jeffrey, Jeffery, Jefferey, Jeffry, and Jefferson. From Jeffrey, a variant of Geoffrey, from Middle English Geffrey, from an Old French aristocratic name, Geoffroi [dʒɔfreʲ] (> West Middle French Geoffrey, East Middle French Geoffroy), itself from Proto-French forms (latinized in -us) Jotfredus, Jozsfredus, Josfredus (10th century) and Jof[f]redus, Jofridus, Jaufredus, Geffredus (11th century), and ultimately of Proto-Germanic origin. The second element is *friþuz (“peace, sanctuary”). The first element may be *gautaz (“a Geat, a Goth”) [making the Proto-Germanic term *Gautafriþu], as opposed to *gōdaz (“good”) or *gudą (“god”) in Godfrey; this would also make it related to Jocelyn. The name was introduced to England by the Normans in the 11
How popular is the name Jeff?
Since 1880, 263 girls and 120,239 boys in the U.S. have been named Jeff (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2768 in 1960. Its highest rank for boys was #44 in 1962. In 2025, 35 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Jeff a boy or girl name?
Jeff is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 263 girls and 120,239 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.