Jefferson
/ˈd͡ʒɛf.əɹ.sən/
Jefferson is a patronymic English surname meaning “son of Jeffrey,” with Jeffrey itself deriving from the Old French Geoffroi, rooted in Germanic elements meaning “peace” and “territory.”
Thomas Jefferson, third US president and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, made this surname synonymous with American ideals of liberty and self-governance.
Jefferson peaked at No. 253 in 1891 with just 40 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 711 with 374 births, its modern count vastly exceeding 19th-century levels.
What the name Jefferson means
Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, added complexity to the name’s historical resonance. Musician Jefferson Airplane brought countercultural flair in the 1960s.
Three syllables—JEF-ur-sun—have a measured, presidential cadence. The name sounds formal but yields the casual nickname Jeff with ease.
Latino communities in the US have adopted Jefferson enthusiastically, especially in immigrant families who admire its patriotic associations.
The name’s dual identity—founding-father gravitas and accessible everyday use—gives it appeal across cultural and socioeconomic lines.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Jefferson
Jefferson - similar names
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