Neff
A boy's name with 6 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. boy's names, Neff is not in the current national top 1,000. In fact, it is among the rarest names in the SSA dataset — a choice that signals bold individuality.
With records spanning 1921 to 1921, Neff has a focused history that reflects a particular moment in naming culture rather than a centuries-old tradition.
Neff is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Neff is a boy's baby name of Unknown origin, transferred from the English surname Neff, which may derive from a dialectal form of 'nephew' or be of German origin from a place name. As a given name it is extremely rare in U.S. records.
Neff has the blunt, four-letter confidence of a surname worn as a first name — monosyllabic, direct, and entirely unadorned. It suits parents who want something short, strong, and genuinely off the beaten path.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Neff does not map cleanly to a single linguistic tradition in our records, which often indicates a name that has crossed cultural boundaries, been adapted between languages, or emerged from the blending that defines American naming.
Neff’s rarity (6 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Neff has 1+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1921.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 6 | #4191 | — |
The Story of Neff
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1921, Neff is a name steeped in history. Boys named Neff are most likely born between 1921 and 1921.
How rare is Neff?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Neff is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1921, peaked in the 1920s with 6 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(1 years, 1921–1921)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1921 | 6 | #4191 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Neff a boy's or girl's name?
When was Neff most popular?
How popular is the name Neff?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1921–1921