Find out how popular the first name Chaffee has been for the last 1 years (from 1975 to 1975) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Chaffee by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Chaffee is a unisex name, with an equal number of males and females sharing this name.

For the most recent data in 1975, there were 5 male babies and 5 female babies born with the name Chaffee.

The history of the first name Chaffee

The name Chaffee has its origins in the old French language, derived from the word "chaffare" which means "to bargain" or "to trade". It likely emerged in the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century, as a surname for merchants or traders who engaged in commerce and bartering.

Historically, the name Chaffee was predominantly found in the regions of northern France, particularly in the areas around Paris and Normandy. In its earliest forms, it was sometimes spelled as "Chaffart", "Chaffare", or "Chaffard", reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling practices of the time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Chaffee can be found in the writings of the French chronicler Jean Froissart, who mentioned a merchant named "Jehan Chaffart" in his chronicles from the 14th century. This suggests that the name was already in use during that period.

In terms of notable historical figures bearing the name Chaffee, one of the earliest was Adrien Chaffee (1520-1587), a French Protestant reformer and theologian who played a significant role in the religious struggles of the 16th century. Another prominent figure was Jean-Baptiste Chaffee (1677-1744), a French explorer and cartographer who mapped parts of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico region.

During the 18th century, the name gained some recognition with the birth of David Chaffee (1742-1819), a soldier and officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He fought in several key battles and was later honored for his service.

In the 19th century, Adna Romanza Chaffee (1842-1914) was a notable American soldier and military leader who served in the American Civil War and the Spanish-American War. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and was instrumental in the campaigns against the Native American tribes in the American West.

Another historically significant figure was Christopher Chaffee (1846-1919), an American businessman and inventor who is credited with developing the first successful portable X-ray machine, which revolutionized medical imaging and diagnostics.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the name Chaffee throughout history, reflecting its French origins and its association with various professions and fields over the centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Chaffee was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Chaffee, please contact us.

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