# Geoffrey

> English word · Proper noun · IPA /ˈd͡ʒɛfɹi/ · frequency rank #12,249

## Definitions
1. A male given name from the Germanic languages, popular in the U.K. in the 20th century.
2. A surname.

## Etymology
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.

## Easily confused with
- **Godfrey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/geoffrey-vs-godfrey)
- **Jeffrey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/geoffrey-vs-jeffrey)

## Common misspellings (10)
`egoffrey`, `gefofrey`, `geoffery`, `geoffreyy`, `geoffrrey`, `geoffrye`, `geofrey`, `geofrfey`, `ggeoffrey`, `goeffrey`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/geoffrey