Gottfried
A boy's name of Germanic origin with 115 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Gottfried is a boy's baby name of Germanic origin, from the Old High German elements god (God) and frid (peace), meaning 'God's peace' or 'peace of God.' It is the German form of Geoffrey or Godfrey.
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, the 17th-century philosopher and mathematician who co-invented calculus, bears this name — making Gottfried a name with towering intellectual heritage. It is rare in America but beloved in German-speaking countries.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Gottfried belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Germanic naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Germanic names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Gottfried’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Gottfried has 15+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1913.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 16 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 45 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 54 | — |
The Story of Gottfried
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1918, Gottfried is a name steeped in history. Boys named Gottfried are most likely born between 1913 and 1928.
How rare is Gottfried?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Gottfried is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1913, peaked in the 1910s with 54 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Gottfried by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(15 years, 1913–1938)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1938 | 5 | #3730 |
| 1936 | 5 | #3752 |
| 1934 | 6 | #3444 |
| 1926 | 9 | #2999 |
| 1925 | 7 | #3542 |
| 1924 | 8 | #3353 |
| 1923 | 7 | #3612 |
| 1922 | 8 | #3364 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4005 |
| 1919 | 5 | #4412 |
| 1918 | 12 | #2453 |
| 1916 | 11 | #2445 |
| 1915 | 9 | #2707 |
| 1914 | 9 | #2338 |
| 1913 | 8 | #2164 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gottfried a boy's or girl's name?
When was Gottfried most popular?
How popular is the name Gottfried?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1913–1938