Name Meaning & Origin
"A surname."
Data last updated: 2025 SSA records
Schaefer is an alternative spelling and cognate for the German word schäfer, meaning 'shepherd', which itself descends from the Old High German scāphare. Variants "Shaefer", "Schäfer", the additional alternative spelling "Schäffer", and the anglicised forms "Schaeffer", "Schaffer", "Shaffer", "Shafer", and "Schafer" are all common surnames.
Schaefer is an alternative spelling and cognate for the German word schäfer, meaning 'shepherd', which itself descends from the Old High German scāphare. Variants "Shaefer", "Schäfer", the additional alternative spelling "Schäffer", and the anglicised forms "Schaeffer", "Schaffer", "Shaffer", "Shafer", and "Schafer" are all common surnames.
Life Path 3 — Creativity & Expression: Charismatic, artistic, and highly communicative.
Age breakdown · state data · decade charts · popularity trend — all on the full statistics page.
Root element "Schaffer" emerges in Multiple origins tradition, carrying the core meaning "A surname.".
Used in English literary and religious texts, spreading through cultural exchange.
Carried across regions through trade, religion, and migration. Multiple spelling variants develop.
Standardized in its current form. Continues to be used across multiple cultures worldwide.
~5 people named Schaffer in the US. Peaked in 2012 with 5 recorded uses.
The Life Path number for Schaffer is 3, associated with Creativity & Expression. Soul Urge: 6. Personality: 6.
Schaffer is Predominantly Male. Based on US data, 100% male and 0% female.
Approximately 5 people in the United States are named Schaffer. The name peaked in 2012 with 5 recorded uses.
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