Names/Jefferey/Jeffrey Dahmer
Historical FigureAmerican1960 – 1994

Jeffrey Dahmer

Serial killer, 17 murders, criminal psychology

Biography

Jeffrey Dahmer (May 21, 1960 – November 28, 1994) was an American serial killer and sex offender who committed the murder of 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dahmer exhibited disturbing behavior from childhood, including animal torture and an obsession with death. His crimes involved horrific acts of torture, necrophilia, and cannibalism, making him one of the most disturbing figures in criminal history. He was arrested in 1991 after attempting to lure a teenage boy to his apartment. Despite a plea of insanity, he was found guilty and sentenced to 15 consecutive life sentences. Dahmer was killed by fellow inmate Christopher Scarver in 1994. His case became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring documentaries, films, and academic studies on criminal psychology, while also raising questions about institutional failures in law enforcement and social services that allowed him to evade capture for so long.

The Name Jefferey

Jeffrey Dahmer's infamy has made the name Jeffrey forever associated with one of America's most notorious serial killers, significantly impacting the name's cultural perception and popularity among parents seeking to avoid negative associations.

Quick Facts
Category

Historical Figure

Nationality

American

Born

1960

Died

1994

Thinking about the name

Jefferey

Germanic origin

A phonetic spelling variant of Jeffrey that attempts to mirror the three-syllable pronunciation (jef-fer-ee) more literally in written form. This spelling emerged as parents sought to clarify pronunciation while maintaining the traditional Germanic 'peaceful pledge' meaning. Jefferey represents a bridge between standard and creative spelling traditions.