MEANING & HISTORY
What does Geoff mean?
Geoff is a clipping of Geoffrey that preserves the older name’s characteristic spelling. Geoffrey reached English through Norman French and belongs to a group of Germanic names whose second element means peace.
The first element has more than one proposed identification. Geoff therefore has a clear short-name formation, while a full translation such as divine peace depends on selecting one disputed analysis of Geoffrey.
References for this explanation
Pronunciation & syllables
Synthetic voice reading
Wiktionary / Kaikki / Wiktextract · CC BY-SA 4.0
Origin and name formation
English / French / Germanic
Dictionary accounts by language
English
Clipping of Geoffrey.
A diminutive of the male given name Geoffrey.
English
From Middle English Geffrey, from an Old French aristocratic name, Geoffroi [dʒɔfreʲ] (> West Middle French Geoffrey, East Middle French Geoffroy), itself from Proto-French forms (latinized in -us) Jotfredus, Jozsfredus, Josfredus (10th century) and Jof[f]redus, Jofridus, Jaufredus, Geffredus (11th century), and ultimately of Proto-Germanic origin. The second element is *friþuz (“peace, sanctuary”). The first element may be *gautaz (“a Geat, a Goth”) [making the Proto-Germanic term *Gautafriþu, as opposed to *gōdaz (“good”) or *gudą (“god”) in Godfrey; this would also make it related to Jocelyn]. The name was introduced to England by the Normans in the 11th century. Partially displaced Old English Ceolfriþ.
A male given name from the Germanic languages, popular in the U.K. in the 20th century.
Wiktionary contributors via Kaikki/Wiktextract; common glosses translated for Filipino.
People with the name Geoff
DOCUMENTED NAMESAKE
Geoff Eigenmann
Filipino actor, model and television presenter
DOCUMENTED NAMESAKE
Geoff Taylor
Filipino singer-model
Descriptions: Wikidata contributors (CC0).
Similar names to Geoff
Explore names with a similar opening or ending.
Names in this collection
- Geena♀Variant of Gina
- Gelot♂Familiar form of Angelo
- Gemma♀Gem or jewel
- Genar♂Shortened back-formation from Genaro
- Gene♂♀Short form of Eugene, Eugenia or Genevieve
- Gener♂Shortened Generoso; noble-birth vocabulary
- Genio·As an Italian word: genius, disposition or natural talent
- Geoffrey♂Medieval Norman name with the element “peace”
What rhymes with Geoff?
Dictionary rhyme matches for the readings shown.
Explore Geoff further
Records & sources
Recorded use
- Wikidata
- 2 person records with this given name · Q16746947 · CC0
These records document use of the spelling; they are separate from birth statistics.
Follow the sources
- Wikidata given-name item Q16746947 — Geoff (opens in a new tab)
- Wikidata — Geoff Eigenmann (opens in a new tab)
- Wikidata — Geoff Taylor (opens in a new tab)
- Wiktionary contributors — Geoff (English) (opens in a new tab)
- Wiktionary contributors — Geoff (English) (opens in a new tab)
- Wiktionary: Geoff (opens in a new tab)