Geoffrey

Meaning: Its source is Godfrey, an English name meaning "Peaceful god."

Nicknames: Geoff, Jeff, Jeffy and Jepp

Alternative Spellings: Geoffry, Jeffree, Jeffrey, Jeffrie, Jeffry and Jefry

Variant Forms: Jefery, Jefferey, Jefferson and Jeffery

Non-English Forms: Geoffroi

Popularity: The name Geoffrey ranked 710th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 368th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: Godfrey may not be the only source for this name, which could represent the convergence of a number of ancient name forms.

Among possible alternate sources are the Old German Waldfried (''governor'') and other Germanic names containing the elements gawia (''territory''), walah (''foreigner'') and gisil (''promise'').

Leadership

Geoffrey C. Bible
- CEO of Fortune 500 company Philip Morris (see list of 1997 Fortune 500 Company CEOs)
- CEO of Fortune 500 company Philip Morris (see list of 1998 Fortune 500 Company CEOs)
- CEO of Fortune 500 company Philip Morris (see list of 1996 Fortune 500 Company CEOs)
- CEO of Fortune 500 company Philip Morris (see list of 2000 Fortune 500 Company CEOs)
- CEO of Fortune 500 company Philip Morris (see list of 1999 Fortune 500 Company CEOs)

Miscellaneous

Geoffrey Beene
- American fashion designer (see list of Fashion Designers)

Science and Philosophy

Geoffrey Wilkinson
British chemist known for his work on organometallics (combinations of metal and organic matter).
- 1973 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, with Ernst Fischer (see list of Winners of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry)

Stage and Screen

Sir Geoffrey Dillon
Fictional character.
- Portrayed by Raymond Huntley (see list of Characters on ''Upstairs, Downstairs'')
Geoffrey C. Ewing
- Actor on soap opera ''''Loving'''' (see list of Performers on the Soap Opera ''Loving'')
Geoffrey Owens
- Portrayed Elvin Tibideaux, 1986-92 (see list of Actors on ''The Cosby Show'')
Geoffrey Rush (born 1951)
Australian actor.
- 1996 Academy Award winner for his performance in Shine (see list of Oscar Winners for Best Actor)

The Literary World

Geoffrey Chaucer (born 1340, died 1400)
English poet.
- Wrote The Canterbury Tales (see list of Ancient and Medieval Writers)
- Poet Laureate of England, 1389-1400 (see list of English Poets Laureate)
Geoffrey Hill (born 1932)
English poet.
- Wrote ''''September Song'''' (see list of Poets of the 20th Century)
Geoffrey of Monmouth (died 1155)
English bishop and chronicler.
- Wrote The History of the Kings of Britain, one of the earliest sources of the Arthurian legends (see list of Ancient and Medieval Writers)
Geoffrey Parsons
- 1942 Pulitzer Prize winner for Editorial Writing (see list of Winners of the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing)