Is Jeff a boy's or girl's name?

Jeff is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 263 recorded births.

When was Jeff most popular?

Jeff reached its peak popularity in 1961 with 9,462 births that year. It is currently ranked #2920 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Jeff?

Jeff is currently ranked #2920 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 120,212 babies since 1880.

Jeff

A German name gently fading from the charts.

Boy's name| Also girlsGermanDeclining Also a pet name

#2920▲ 451in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A diminutive of the male given names Jeffrey, Jeffery, Jefferey, Jeffry, or Jefferson.

Jeff is a boy's and girl's baby name of Germanic origin, a short form of Jeffrey or Jefferson, from the Old German Gottfried — combining gott ('God') and frid ('peace'), meaning 'God's peace.' Jeff became a common standalone name in mid-20th-century America.

Jeff had its U.S. peak in the 1960s–70s, ranking as high as #10 in 1966. It's the quintessential Boomer name — capable, unpretentious, the guy who coaches the Little League team. Jeff Bridges, Jeff Goldblum, and Jeff Bezos represent its remarkable range.

Compare Jeff with another name

Popularity Over Time

Jeff was #1011 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2920, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Jeff
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	223	#2867	▼
2010s	769	#1956	▼
2000s	1,518	#1096	▼
1990s	1,890	#807	▼
1980s	3,786	#449	▼
1970s	12,253	#223	▼
1960s	62,077	#66	▲
1950s	24,921	#184	▲
1940s	5,909	#261	▲
1930s	1,522	#466	▼
1920s	1,861	#444	▲
1910s	1,532	#369	▲
1900s	605	#256	—
1890s	661	#208	—
1880s	685	#191	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Jeff
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	43	#2920	+8 (22.9%)
2023	35	#3371	-11 (-23.9%)
2022	46	#2805	-10 (-17.9%)
2021	56	#2422	+13 (30.2%)
2020	43	#2815	-10 (-18.9%)
2019	53	#2504	-14 (-20.9%)
2018	67	#2109	+8 (13.6%)
2017	59	#2255	+1 (1.7%)
2016	58	#2291	-14 (-19.4%)
2015	72	#2004	-28 (-28.0%)
2014	100	#1582	+21 (26.6%)
2013	79	#1818	+1 (1.3%)
2012	78	#1871	-12 (-13.3%)
2011	90	#1671	-23 (-20.4%)
2010	113	#1458	-15 (-11.7%)
2009	128	#1350	-14 (-9.9%)
2008	142	#1230	-19 (-11.8%)
2007	161	#1122	+20 (14.2%)
2006	141	#1191	+11 (8.5%)
2005	130	#1219	-33 (-20.2%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Jeff as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Jeff has also been given to 263 girls in the U.S. since 1925.

Unranked

Current rank

263

Total births

1960

Peak year

Compare Jeff as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Jeff be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Jeff is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #2920. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Jeff has two lives

Jeff, the baby name

#2920boys

120,212 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology