Jef

♂ Boy

Pronounced JEF /ˈdʒɛf/Medium

Meaning: Jef is a trimmed spelling of Jeff, the short form of Jeffrey - a medieval name from Germanic roots usually read as 'peace of the land' or 'traveler's peace,' its second element being 'frid,' 'peace.' The single-f spelling is a spare modern touch; the meaning follows Jeffrey.Low

In 30 seconds: Jef is a rare short form of Jeff or Jeffrey, tied to the Germanic for 'peace.' It appears in US records and peaked around 1963 (said JEF).

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Origin LowEnglish, American

MeaningJef is a trimmed spelling of Jeff, the short form of Jeffrey - a medieval name from Germanic roots usually read as 'peace of the land' or 'traveler's peace,' its second element being 'frid,' 'peace.' The single-f spelling is a spare modern touch; the meaning follows Jeffrey.

U.S. rank (1973)#4771 ↘ Falling

1973 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1963

Total births (all-time)≈ 129

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

Jef is a spare spelling of Jeff, the short form of Jeffrey, a medieval Germanic name whose second element means 'peace.' The single f is a minimalist touch on a friendly mid-century nickname-name.

It was never common, given to only about fifteen boys a year even at its peak around 1963. A boy named Jef then would be reaching his later years today.

Did you know? Jeffrey was one of the great mid-century American favorites for boys, and clipped forms like Jeff, and more rarely Jef, were sometimes recorded as given names in their own right.

Overall data confidence 30%

References - Jef — Short form of Jeff/Jeffrey (Germanic 'peace'); mid-century nickname-name; traced honestly.

Variations

JeffJeffreyGeoffJeffery

Nicknames

JeffJeffy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Jef…

Jeff— the standard short form Jef trims

Jeffrey— the full parent name

Geoff— a like short form in sound

Jefferson— a similar Jeff- name of the era

Explore names like Jef

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Jef mean?

It is a short form of Jeff or Jeffrey, from the Germanic name whose second element, 'frid,' means 'peace.'

How do you pronounce Jef?

It is said JEF /ˈdʒɛf/ - one syllable.

Is Jef a boy or girl name?

Jef is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Jef?

It was always rare in the United States, given to only about fifteen boys a year even at its peak in the nineteen-sixties.