Geoff is a short form of the name Geoffrey, which originates from the Germanic words "gēa" meaning "to yield" or "to succeed", and "wulf" meaning "wolf". The full name Geoffrey was popular during medieval times in England due to its Norman origins, with several notable figures bearing this name throughout history.
In France, Geoffroy is a common variant of the name, with famous examples including Geoffroy de Charny, a French knight who died at the Battle of Crécy in 1346. Additionally, Geoffrey Chaucer, an English poet and author of the Canterbury Tales, was born around 1340.
The name Geoff has been used independently from Geoffrey since the early 20th century. It gained popularity as a given name during this time period, with notable figures like British actor Geoffrey Rush and American basketball player Geoff Petrie bearing the name Geoff.
Today, Geoff remains a popular choice for parents looking for a short and unique name for their sons. Its Germanic origins give it a strong and powerful connotation, while its use as both a full name and a diminutive makes it versatile and timeless. Overall, Geoff is a name with a rich history and an appealing sound that continues to captivate parents today.
Geoff is a name that has seen varying popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 1,549 births recorded between 1940 and 2016.
The name first appeared on record in 1940, with five births that year. It peaked in popularity during the late 1950s to early 1960s, with a high of 65 births in 1962. This trend continued into the mid-1970s, with 61 births recorded in both 1975 and 1986.
However, after the mid-1980s, the popularity of the name began to decline significantly. Between 1987 and 2016, there were fewer than 30 births per year on average, with some years seeing as few as six births (1991, 1998, 1999, and 2006).
Despite this decline in popularity, the name Geoff continues to be used occasionally, with eight births recorded in 2010 and six births in 2016. It is clear that while the name may not be as popular as it once was, there remains a small but steady interest in it among parents in the United States.
Overall, these statistics show how the popularity of the name Geoff has fluctuated over time, with periods of high and low usage. However, they also demonstrate that even during its least popular years, the name still held some appeal for a small number of parents.