Name Meaning & Origin
"Schaefer is an alternative spelling and cognate for the German word schäfer, meaning 'shepherd', which itself descends from the Old High German scāphare"
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 9 — Compassion & Idealism: Humanitarian, selfless, and globally-minded.
Age breakdown · state data · decade charts · popularity trend — all on the full statistics page.
Root element "Shaffer" emerges in Multiple origins tradition, carrying the core meaning "Schaefer is an alternative spelling and cognate for the German word schäfer, meaning 'shepherd', which itself descends from the Old High German scāphare".
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.
~43 people named Shaffer in the US. Peaked in 2002 with 9 recorded uses.
The Life Path number for Shaffer is 9, associated with Compassion & Idealism. Soul Urge: 6. Personality: 3.
Shaffer is Predominantly Male. Based on US data, 100% male and 0% female.
Approximately 43 people in the United States are named Shaffer. The name peaked in 2002 with 9 recorded uses.
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