Jeff
Jeff is a diminutive of Jeffrey, derived from the Old German name Godfrey, meaning 'God's peace' or 'divine peace.' It became popular as an independent given name in the mid-20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Current Popularity
#2920 for boys
in the United States (2024)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Simple and easy to spell with standard spelling
- •Works well in professional and casual settings
- •Often viewed as informal compared to full form Jeffrey
- •Peak popularity was in the 1960s-1970s but remains recognizable
Similar Names
Famous People
Jeff Bezos
Founder of Amazon
Jeff Bridges
Actor
Jeff Goldblum
Actor
Jeff Gordon
NASCAR Champion
Statistics
120,212
Total births since 1880
1961
Peak year
Discovery
Keep exploring
Use these paths to keep browsing instead of backing out into a blank search.
Rising now
Browse trending names
See names climbing fastest right now.
Always popular
Explore timeless classics
Find names that have stayed strong for decades.
For this gender
See all-time favorites
Jump into the broadest popularity list.
Stories
Read famous-name profiles
Follow cultural stories that shaped naming trends.
Guides
Browse recent articles
Move from inspiration into editorial advice.