Jeffrey Lai

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Jeffrey Lai — peaceful pledge
887K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Jeffrey Lai is a name that combines Germanic origins. The first name Jeffrey is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. Jeffrey is a common English given name, and a variant form of the name Geoffrey (itself from a Middle French variant of Godfrey, Gottfried). It has been argued that the common derivation of Middle French Geoffrey (or Geoffroy), Jeffery from Godfrey is mistaken, and that the names reflect two separate first Germanic elements god vs. gaut, which became conflated in Old High German by the end of the early medieval period. Outside of North America, Geoffrey is more common than Jeffrey. The surname Lai: Lai (traditional Chinese: 賴; simplified Chinese: 赖; pinyin: Lài) is a common Chinese surname that is pronounced similarly in both Mandarin, Hakka dialect and also in the Vietnamese language. The meaning of the character used in the Lai (賴) surname is "depend on; trust in; rely on". It is also a Hokkien (Southern Fujian)/ Minnan (Southern Min) surname that is romanized as Lua, Nai or Nua. Jeffrey is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 887K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Jeffrey reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Jeffrey

Meaning: peaceful pledge

Germanic

Jeffrey is a common English given name, and a variant form of the name Geoffrey (itself from a Middle French variant of Godfrey, Gottfried). It has been argued that the common derivation of Middle French Geoffrey (or Geoffroy), Jeffery from Godfrey is mistaken, and that the names reflect two separate first Germanic elements god vs. gaut, which became conflated in Old High German by the end of the early medieval period. Outside of North America, Geoffrey is more common than Jeffrey.

Surname: Lai

Vietnamese

Lai (traditional Chinese: 賴; simplified Chinese: 赖; pinyin: Lài) is a common Chinese surname that is pronounced similarly in both Mandarin, Hakka dialect and also in the Vietnamese language. The meaning of the character used in the Lai (賴) surname is "depend on; trust in; rely on". It is also a Hokkien (Southern Fujian)/ Minnan (Southern Min) surname that is romanized as Lua, Nai or Nua.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Jeffrey is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Jeffrey by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Jeffrey Lai

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Jeffrey Lai:

7
Expression Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

2
Soul Urge Number

Cooperation and sensitivity. A diplomatic, gentle nature with strong empathy, thriving in partnerships and harmony.

5
Personality Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Jeffrey?
The first name Jeffrey originates from Germanic. Jeffrey is a common English given name, and a variant form of the name Geoffrey (itself from a Middle French variant of Godfrey, Gottfried). It has been argued that the common derivation of Middle French Geoffrey (or Geoffroy), Jeffery from Godfrey is mistaken, and that the names reflect two separate first Germanic elements god vs. gaut, which became conflated in Old High German by the end of the early medieval period. Outside of North America, Geoffrey is more common than Jeffrey.
When was Jeffrey most popular?
The name Jeffrey reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Lai?
The surname Lai originates from Vietnamese. Lai (traditional Chinese: 賴; simplified Chinese: 赖; pinyin: Lài) is a common Chinese surname that is pronounced similarly in both Mandarin, Hakka dialect and also in the Vietnamese language. The meaning of the character used in the Lai (賴) surname is "depend on; trust in; rely on". It is also a Hokkien (Southern Fujian)/ Minnan (Southern Min) surname that is romanized as Lua, Nai or Nua.
What are the origins of the name Jeffrey Lai?
The name Jeffrey Lai combines two different traditions: the first name Jeffrey has Germanic roots, while the surname Lai originates from Vietnamese.
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