Godfrey is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German elements "god" meaning "god" and "frith" meaning "peace". Thus, the name Godfrey translates to "peace of god".
The name has been popular throughout history, particularly among European nobility. One of the most notable figures with this name was Godfrey of Bouillon, a 11th-century French nobleman who was one of the leaders of the First Crusade and became the first Christian ruler of Jerusalem.
In England, Godfrey was used as a given name from an early date, appearing in records such as the Domesday Book of 1086. It continued to be used throughout the Middle Ages and into the modern era, although its popularity has varied over time.
Today, Godfrey is still considered a classic and distinguished name, often associated with historical figures like Godfrey of Bouillon. However, it remains relatively uncommon compared to more popular names, which makes it a unique choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name for their child.
The name Godfrey experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a total of 3229 births recorded between 1880 and 2023. The name's peak occurred during World War I, with 61 births in 1917 and 71 births in 1918. However, since the late 1940s, Godfrey has seen a steady decline in usage, with fewer than 20 births per year from 1965 onwards, and as low as 5 births in some recent years. As of 2023, Godfrey is not among the top 1000 names for newborn boys in the United States.