Schafer is a German surname that originates from the Middle High German word "schaf," which means "sheep." The name was likely given to someone who either owned sheep or had some connection to them in their profession, such as being a shepherd.
The name Schafer has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have first appeared in records in Germany during this time period. In fact, there are several notable figures throughout history with the last name Schafer, including Johann Christoph von Schaffner (1640-1728), who was a Swiss poet and playwright, and Friedrich Schafer (1905-1993), who was a German film actor.
Today, Schafer is still a relatively common surname in Germany and other parts of Europe. While it may not be as widespread as some other surnames, it remains an important part of German cultural heritage. For those who bear this name, it serves as a reminder of their ancestors' connection to the land and to the animals that have played such an integral role in human history.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Schafer in the United States between 1992 and 2021. Over this period of nearly three decades, there were a total of 64 babies named Schafer.
The most popular years for the name Schafer were 2008 and 2021, with 9 births each. These years saw the highest number of newborns given this name in the United States during the specified period.
Interestingly, the name Schafer seems to have experienced some popularity fluctuations over time. There were years with only a single-digit number of births (5-8), while others had fewer than five babies named Schafer (1992, 1994, and 2010). However, there was also a peak in recent years, with 7 births in both 2016 and 2017.
While the name Schafer may not be one of the most common names in the United States, it has maintained some level of popularity among parents over the past few decades. It will be intriguing to see if this trend continues in the coming years.