How to say it
JEF · fer · son
ˈdʒɛf.ər.sən
Masculine
Jefferson
Son of Jeffrey
What it means
An English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Jeffrey,' from the Germanic Geoffrey.
Jefferson is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Jeffrey,' Jeffrey being a medieval form of Geoffrey from Germanic roots often read as 'peace of the land' or 'peace of God.' In the United States it became a given name largely as a tribute to Thomas Jefferson, the third president and author of the Declaration of Independence. It carries the same statesman-surname feel as Lincoln and Madison. Jefferson eased to rank 831 in 2025, down from 710.
How to spell Jefferson
The standard spelling is Jefferson. Common variants include Jeferson, Jefferson, but Jefferson is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #253 in 1891, currently #831 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
JEF-er-son, three syllables, stress on the first.
- Nickname
Jeff and Jeffy are ready-made short forms.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Thomas Jefferson third president of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence
Spelling variants
- Jeferson
- Jefferson
Names with the same feeling
See Jefferson from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Jefferson mean?
- An English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Jeffrey,' from the Germanic Geoffrey.
- What does Jefferson mean in English?
- In English, Jefferson means "Son of Jeffrey." Jefferson is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Jeffrey,' Jeffrey being a medieval form of Geoffrey from Germanic roots often read as 'peace of the land' or 'peace of God.' In the United States it became a given name largely as a tribute to Thomas Jefferson, the third president and author of the Declaration of Independence. It carries the same statesman-surname feel as Lincoln and Madison. Jefferson eased to rank 831 in 2025, down from 710.
- How do you pronounce Jefferson?
- Jefferson is pronounced ˈdʒɛf.ər.sən. Say it as JEF-fer-son, with the stress on the "jef" syllable.
- How do you spell Jefferson?
- The standard spelling is Jefferson. Common spelling variants include Jeferson, Jefferson.
- Is Jefferson a boy or girl name?
- Jefferson is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Jefferson?
- Jefferson ranked #831 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.