Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Geoffrey
BoyEnglish, French· “uncertain; second part means 'peace'”
- Meaning
- uncertain; second part means 'peace' (origin disputed)
- Origin
- English, French
- Pronunciation
- JEHF-ree
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,599
- US babies 2025
- 31
- Best rank
- #167 (1975)
- Peak year
- 1975
Meaning and origin of Geoffrey
Geoffrey is often said to mean “uncertain; second part means 'peace'”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and French roots.
The Normans brought Geoffrey, a name of Germanic origin, to England. Its first element is uncertain, possibly meaning district, traveler or pledge, while the second element, frid, means peace. Notable bearers include Geoffrey Chaucer, the fourteenth-century poet who wrote The Canterbury Tales, and Geoffrey of Monmouth, whose chronicle helped shape the legends of King Arthur. Geoffrey has a classic, scholarly feel and remains familiar in English-speaking countries. It is usually pronounced JEF-ree. Geoff and Jeff are common nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Jeffrey, Jeffry.
Popularity over time
Geoffrey first appears in US Social Security records in 1895. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 70 different years, starting in 1936. Its best national rank was #167 in 1975, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,395 babies. In 2025, 31 babies were named Geoffrey, and it ranked #3,599 nationally. That is 62% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,781 in 1920, #264 in 1950, #200 in 1980, #652 in 2000, #1,552 in 2010, and #3,599 in 2025. Of the 54,394 US boys named Geoffrey since records began, 23% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 12,179 babies. Since 2010, 1,159 more have been named Geoffrey.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Heath, Clifton, Toby, Chadwick, and Cornelius.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Geoffrey is usually pronounced JEHF-ree, with two syllables. It has eight letters, starts with G and ends in “-ey”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Jeffrey and Jeffry.
Middle names for Geoffrey
A few middle names that flow with Geoffrey: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Geoffrey
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Lists that include Geoffrey
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Geoffrey mean?
Geoffrey is often said to mean “uncertain; second part means 'peace'”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and French roots.
What is the origin of the name Geoffrey?
Geoffrey has English, French, and Germanic roots. The Normans brought Geoffrey, a name of Germanic origin, to England.
Is Geoffrey a popular name?
Not especially. Geoffrey ranked #3,599 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Geoffrey a boy or girl name?
Geoffrey is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Geoffrey?
Geoffrey is usually pronounced JEHF-ree. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings