Geoffrey
name ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A male given name from the Germanic languages, popular in the U.K. in the 20th century.
""Were you not aware mamma had a son as well as three daughters?" "Yes, but I didn't know his name. I like Geoffrey; there's some sound in it.""
Antonyms
All antonymsExample
More examples"Geoffrey, a highly advantaged student at a private college, bought a motorcycle and vanished with it."
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.