Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Schaefer

Schaefer

♂ Boy

Pronounced SHAY-fur /ˈʃeɪ.fər/High

Meaning: From the German surname Schaefer (Schafer), an occupational name from Schaf ('sheep') — 'shepherd'. It is one of the most common surnames in Germany, and like many trade surnames it has moved into first-name use in America.Medium

In 30 seconds: A German surname with a flock behind it: Schaefer means 'shepherd' (said 'SHAY-fur').
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumGerman
MeaningFrom the German surname Schaefer (Schafer), an occupational name from Schaf ('sheep') — 'shepherd'. It is one of the most common surnames in Germany, and like many trade surnames it has moved into first-name use in America.
U.S. rank (2024)#13851 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2005
Total births (all-time)≈ 68

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200519912024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Schaefer comes from German Schafer, 'shepherd', an occupational surname formed from Schaf ('sheep'). Shepherds were common enough across German-speaking lands that the name became one of the most widespread in the country, and it travelled to America with German immigration. Its use as a given name is recent, part of the broad taste for surname names (said 'SHAY-fur').

It appears only very rarely as a given name in the U.S. Very rare, sturdy, and surname-style.

Did you know? Schaefer is one of Germany's most common surnames — it simply means 'shepherd', from Schaf, 'sheep'. As a first name it joins the American fashion for occupational surnames like Tanner and Fletcher.
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Schaefer — German occupational surname; Schaf, 'sheep' — 'shepherd'

Variations

SchaferShaeferShaffer

Nicknames

ShaySchae

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Schaefer…

Shepherd— the English word for what Schaefer means
Fletcher— a like occupational surname name
Sawyer— a like trade surname turned first name
Archer— a like modern surname-style pick

Explore names like Schaefer

By thememodernsurnamegermanoccupational

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Schaefer mean?

Schaefer means 'shepherd', from German Schaf ('sheep'). It began as an occupational surname.

How do you pronounce Schaefer?

In English it's said SHAY-fur /ˈʃeɪ.fər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Schaefer a boy or girl name?

Schaefer is a boy's name.

How popular is Schaefer?

Schaefer is very rare as a given name in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia