Find out how popular the first name Shaffer has been for the last 30 years (from 1982 to 2011) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shaffer by gender

Based on the last 30 years of data, Shaffer is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2011, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Shaffer.

The history of the first name Shaffer

The name Shaffer has its origins in the German language and is derived from the occupation of a shepherd or sheep herder. It is believed to have emerged as a surname in the Middle Ages, likely between the 11th and 14th centuries.

The name Shaffer is a variation of the German word "Schäfer," which directly translates to "shepherd." It is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as the Dutch "schaap" and the Old English "sceap," both meaning "sheep."

While the name Shaffer is primarily associated with German-speaking regions, its use as a given name can be traced back to the late 16th century. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shaffer being used as a first name is in the baptismal records of the city of Nuremberg, Germany, in the year 1587.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the first name Shaffer. One of the earliest recorded was Shaffer von Wittelsbach (1491-1548), a German nobleman and military commander who served as a general in the Schmalkaldic War.

Another prominent figure was Shaffer Braun (1622-1703), a German composer and organist who is best known for his contributions to the development of the chorale prelude genre in the Baroque era.

In the 19th century, Shaffer Bernstein (1819-1892) was a German-American businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the establishment of educational institutions in New York City.

In the realm of literature, Shaffer Hesse (1877-1962) was a German-born Swiss novelist, poet, and painter, best known for his influential novel "Siddhartha."

More recently, Shaffer Green (1937-2022) was an American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for several teams, including the Boston Celtics and the Seattle SuperSonics.

These are just a few examples of the notable individuals who have carried the first name Shaffer throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence across various fields and cultures.

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 Shaffer was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!