Geoffrey is a masculine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old Germanic elements "geof" meaning "peace" and "ric" meaning "power" or "strength". Thus, Geoffrey can be interpreted as "peaceful ruler" or "strong peace".
The name Geoffrey was introduced into England by the Normans after their conquest in 1066. It became quite popular during the Middle Ages, particularly among the nobility. Several notable figures throughout history have borne this name, such as Geoffrey Chaucer, the famous English poet, and Geoffrey of Monmouth, a 12th-century chronicler known for his work "Historia Regum Britanniae".
Geoffrey has also been used in other languages and cultures. In French, it is spelled Geoffroy or Jefroy, while in German, it becomes Godfrey or Jörg. In some cases, the name may be shortened to Jeff or Geoff.
Overall, Geoffrey is a classic and timeless name with a strong history and meaningful origin. It has been worn by many significant figures throughout history and continues to be used today as a popular choice for parents looking for a traditional yet distinctive name for their sons.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Geoffrey experienced a fluctuating popularity over the years from 1974 to 1988 in the United States.
In 1974, there were 5 births with the name Geoffrey. This number then rose to 7 births in 1980, showing an increase in popularity during this period. However, the trend reversed in the following years, as there were only 5 births each in 1983 and 1985.
Interestingly, the year 1986 saw a slight rebound with 6 births, but it was short-lived as the number dropped back to 5 births in 1988.
Over this 15-year span, from 1974 to 1988, there were a total of 33 births with the name Geoffrey in the United States. This indicates that while Geoffrey was not one of the most popular names during this time, it still held a consistent presence among newborns throughout these years.