Charles Schafer
Name meaning, origin and global statistics
Charles Schafer is a name that combines Germanic origins. The first name Charles is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. From the Germanic Karl, meaning "free man." Latinized as Carolus, it gave us Charlemagne and the Carolingian dynasty. The surname Schafer: 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" (a standardized spelling in many German-speaking countries after 1880), the additional alternative spelling "Schäffer", and the anglicised forms "Schaeffer", "Schaffer", "Shaffer", "Shafer", and "Schafer" are all common surnames. Charles is one of the most widespread first names worldwide, carried by approximately 2.3 million people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Charles reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.
Etymology & Origin
First Name: Charles
Meaning: free man
Germanic
From the Germanic Karl, meaning "free man." Latinized as Carolus, it gave us Charlemagne and the Carolingian dynasty.
Surname: Schafer
Germanic
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" (a standardized spelling in many German-speaking countries after 1880), the additional alternative spelling "Schäffer", and the anglicised forms "Schaeffer", "Schaffer", "Shaffer", "Shafer", and "Schafer" are all common surnames.
Geographic Distribution
The first name Charles is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:
Popularity Over Time
Popularity of the name Charles by decade, based on birth registration data:
Name Variants & Related Names
The name Charles has several variants and related forms across different languages and cultures:
Notable People Named Charles Schafer
People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.
Numerology
According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Charles Schafer:
Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.
Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.
Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.
Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the origin of the first name Charles?
- The first name Charles originates from Germanic. From the Germanic Karl, meaning "free man." Latinized as Carolus, it gave us Charlemagne and the Carolingian dynasty.
- When was Charles most popular?
- The name Charles reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
- What is the origin of the surname Schafer?
- The surname Schafer originates from Germanic. 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" (a standardized spelling in many German-speaking countries after 1880), the additional alternative spelling "Schäffer", and the anglicised forms "Schaeffer", "Schaffer", "Shaffer", "Shafer", and "Schafer" are all common surnames.
- How common is the surname Schafer?
- The surname Schafer is shared by approximately 25K people worldwide.