Jefferson
Jefferson is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Son of Jeffrey (pledge of peace or divine peace).
Origin and history
Jefferson originated as an English patronymic surname meaning son of Jeffrey. Historically derived from medieval names like Geoffrey, it became a given name in the United States, often in honor of Thomas Jefferson. It maintains steady, moderate usage in modern America.
Popularity in the United States
24,440 babies in the United States have been named Jefferson since 1880. It ranks #750 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #716.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12 %)
- TX (11 %)
- NY (8.8 %)
- FL (7.5 %)
- GA (7.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 355 |
| 1890-1900 | 291 |
| 1900-1910 | 244 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,039 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,429 |
| 1930-1940 | 908 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,142 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,738 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,017 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,165 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,638 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,359 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,268 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,789 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,058 |
Famous people named Jefferson
- Jefferson Davis: Politician, Military Officer
- Jefferson White: Actor
- Jefferson Mays: Actor
Nicknames
Jeff, Jeffy
Fun facts
- Its adoption as a given name was heavily influenced by Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President.
- The root name Jeffrey comes from Germanic elements likely meaning pledge or peace.