Jef is of Hebrew origin, meaning "may God increase". It is a variant of the name Joseph, which was popular among the Jews and later adopted by Christians as well. The name Jef has been used throughout history but its popularity has varied over time and across different cultures. In some languages, such as Dutch and Flemish, it is spelled "Jef" while in others like French it may be spelled "Jeff". Despite these variations in spelling, the name Jef remains a distinct and unique one with its own rich history and cultural significance.
"The name Jef was quite popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with a peak of 15 births in 1963."