Geoffrey is a strong and distinctive name of Norman origin, derived from the Old Germanic name "Gaufridus". This name is composed of two elements: "gaud" which means "to protect", and "frithu" which translates to "peace". Therefore, Geoffrey's meaning can be interpreted as "protector of peace".
The name Geoffrey first emerged in the 10th century with the rise of the Normans. It was introduced into England after the Norman Conquest of 1066 when William the Conqueror, whose mother was named Gunnora (a form of Gunhilda, a variant of Gaufridus), invaded and conquered England.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Geoffrey in England is found in the Domesday Book of 1086. Since then, Geoffrey has been used consistently throughout history and has become well-established among English-speaking populations.
Geoffrey was particularly popular during the Middle Ages, with many notable figures bearing this name, such as Geoffrey Chaucer, the famous English poet who authored "The Canterbury Tales". This further contributed to the popularity of the name and solidified its place in English history and literature.
Over time, various forms and variations of Geoffrey have emerged, including Geoff, Geoffery, Jeffery, Jeffrey, Jefrey, Jeff, Jeffie, and Jeffy. Despite these variants, Geoffrey remains a classic choice for parents seeking a strong and traditional name with a rich historical background.
The name Geoffrey has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the early 1900s, it maintained a consistent level of popularity with around 5-8 births per year from 1900 to 1917. However, it began to gain traction in the late 1910s and early 1920s, peaking at 25 births in 1927.
This trend continued into the 1930s, with a high of 43 births in 1936. The name Geoffrey then entered its most popular period from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. During this time, it reached an all-time high of 823 births in 1961.
However, like many names, Geoffrey's popularity began to decline in the mid-1960s. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, it had fallen to around 1,000 births per year. This trend continued throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, with fewer than 200 births per year occurring in most years.
Despite this decline, Geoffrey remains a classic name with historical significance. As of 2023, it has been given to approximately 54,329 babies born in the United States over the past century.