A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Jefferson since 1880
Babies named Jefferson per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2009, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Jefferson's real moment was 1891.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 355 |
| 1890s | 291 |
| 1900s | 244 |
| 1910s | 1,039 |
| 1920s | 1,429 |
| 1930s | 908 |
| 1940s | 1,142 |
| 1950s | 1,738 |
| 1960s | 2,017 |
| 1970s | 2,165 |
| 1980s | 1,638 |
| 1990s | 2,359 |
| 2000s | 3,268 |
| 2010s | 3,789 |
| 2020s | 2,058 |
Meaning & origin
Jefferson is a presidential surname turned first name, carrying strong American connotations. Though its peak popularity occurred in 1891, the name has been on a steady rise since 1987, reflecting a broader trend of surnames as given names. It was most common in Connecticut, Maryland, and Virginia, states with historical ties to Thomas Jefferson. With a current rank of 829 and an incidence of 1 in 5,732 newborns, Jefferson remains a distinctive but not uncommon choice. Its revival trajectory suggests enduring appeal, rooted in both family tradition and national heritage.
Jefferson originated as an English patronymic surname meaning "son of Jeffrey." Jeffrey itself derives from the Germanic name Godfrey, composed of elements meaning "god" and "peace." The name gained prominence as a given name largely due to Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, inspiring lasting patriotic use in the United States.
Where Jefferson is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Jefferson” around the world
Where Jefferson lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jeff, J
Sibling names for Jefferson
Names that share Jefferson's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Jefferson
Names whose popularity has moved with Jefferson's over the last 50 years.
