Geoff

♂ Boy

Pronounced JEF /ˈdʒɛf/High

Meaning: Geoff is the British short form of Geoffrey, a medieval name of Germanic roots whose second element is 'frid', peace; the first element is variously explained, so the name is often read as 'district-peace' or 'traveler-peace'. Jeffrey is the same name, and Geoff spells the sound the English way.Medium

In 30 seconds: Geoff is the British short form of Geoffrey — a Germanic name tied to 'peace' (said 'JEF'). It saw quiet American use around the early nineteen-sixties.

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Origin MediumGermanic, English

MeaningGeoff is the British short form of Geoffrey, a medieval name of Germanic roots whose second element is 'frid', peace; the first element is variously explained, so the name is often read as 'district-peace' or 'traveler-peace'. Jeffrey is the same name, and Geoff spells the sound the English way.

U.S. rank (2016)#11183 ↘ Falling

2016 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1962

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,549

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Geoff is a short form of Geoffrey, a Norman name of Germanic origin whose ending frid means peace; its first part is disputed, giving readings like 'district-peace'. Jeffrey is the same name. The Geoff spelling, common in Britain, was the rarer choice in the United States, where Jeff dominated.

As a stand-alone given name Geoff was uncommon in America, nudging a high around 1962 when Jeffrey was booming. A man given it then is in his sixties now. It still reads as distinctly British, the everyday short form of a Geoffrey rather than a name American parents often bestow on its own.

Did you know? Geoff and Jeff are the same sound spelled two ways: Geoff keeps the medieval Geoffrey opening, while Jeff follows the Jeffrey spelling that took hold in America.

Overall data confidence 70%

References — Geoff — Short for Geoffrey/Jeffrey; Germanic, frid 'peace'

Variations

GeoffreyJeffJeffrey

Nicknames

Geoffrey

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Geoff…

Geoffrey— the full name Geoff shortens

Jeff— the American-spelled twin of the same short form

Jeffrey— the standard fuller spelling sharing the peace meaning

Godfrey— a like Germanic name with the same frid 'peace' element

Explore names like Geoff

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Geoff mean?

Geoff is a short form of Geoffrey or Jeffrey, from a Germanic name whose ending means 'peace'.

How do you pronounce Geoff?

It's said JEF /ˈdʒɛf/ — one syllable.

Is Geoff a boy or girl name?

Geoff is used as a boy's name, a short form of Geoffrey.

How popular is Geoff?

Geoff has always been uncommon as a given name in the U.S., peaking quietly in the early nineteen-sixties while Jeffrey was popular.