Godfrey
Godfrey is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
God's peace or divine peace.
Origin and history
Godfrey is a classic masculine name of Germanic origin, derived from elements meaning 'god' and 'peace'. It was brought to England by the Normans and enjoyed medieval popularity before becoming relatively rare in modern times. In the United States, it remains a traditional but uncommon choice.
Popularity in the United States
3,245 babies in the United States have been named Godfrey since 1880. It ranks #2255 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1866.
States where it is most popular
- NY (40.1 %)
- LA (18.5 %)
- CA (10.2 %)
- PA (5.7 %)
- AL (3.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 84 |
| 1890-1900 | 79 |
| 1900-1910 | 85 |
| 1910-1920 | 395 |
| 1920-1930 | 468 |
| 1930-1940 | 299 |
| 1940-1950 | 369 |
| 1950-1960 | 372 |
| 1960-1970 | 269 |
| 1970-1980 | 209 |
| 1980-1990 | 196 |
| 1990-2000 | 166 |
| 2000-2010 | 86 |
| 2010-2019 | 107 |
| 2020-2029 | 61 |
Famous people named Godfrey
- Godfrey Cambridge: actor, comedian
- Godfrey Gao: actor, model
- Godfrey Reggio: director, filmmaker
Nicknames
Geoff
Fun facts
- The name was introduced to Britain by the Normans, where it merged with similar Old English and Old Norse names.
- Godfrey shares its Germanic etymological roots with the modern name Geoffrey.