Humphrey as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Humphrey

What is the meaning of the name Humphrey ?

The baby name Humphrey is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈhʌm.fri/ (HUM-free).

Humphrey is Germanic in Origin.

Humphrey is a medieval English name from the Old Germanic Hunfrid (also Hunfried), carried into England by the Normans via Old French forms such as Humfroi and Humfrey. The elements are hun - interpreted as “bear cub” or “warrior/giant” - and frid/fred, “peace,” yielding the sense “peaceful warrior” or “peace through strength.” Latin records show Humfridus; the standard English spelling stabilized as Humphrey.

It became fashionable among the Anglo‑Norman elite, borne by several Humphrey de Bohuns and by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester in the 15th century. Use waned after the Middle Ages, surviving as a surname (Humphrey, Humphreys, Humphries) and enjoying a modest 20th‑century lift thanks to actor Humphrey Bogart. Variants and spellings include Humfrey, Humphry, and the German Hunfried/Humfried; the rare French survival is Onfroy. Informal short forms are Hum or Humph.