Evelyn Shaffer
Name meaning, origin and global statistics
Evelyn Shaffer is a name that combines English origins. The first name Evelyn is a feminine given name of English origin. Evelyn is a matronymic English surname derived from the medieval girl's name Aveline (which is of Norman origin and represents a diminutive form of Ava). Since the 17th century, it has also been used as a given name. The earliest recorded bearer was Evelyn Pierrepont (d. 1726), who was a grandson of the Roundhead politician Sir John Evelyn. The family subsequently used the name for both male and female children, including Pierrepont's third daughter. The English census of 1841 listed 84 Evelyns, half male and half female. By 1851, there were 88 male and 196 female Evelyns. The surname Shaffer: 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. Evelyn is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 499K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Evelyn reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.
Etymology & Origin
First Name: Evelyn
Meaning: wished-for child
English
Evelyn is a matronymic English surname derived from the medieval girl's name Aveline (which is of Norman origin and represents a diminutive form of Ava). Since the 17th century, it has also been used as a given name. The earliest recorded bearer was Evelyn Pierrepont (d. 1726), who was a grandson of the Roundhead politician Sir John Evelyn. The family subsequently used the name for both male and female children, including Pierrepont's third daughter. The English census of 1841 listed 84 Evelyns, half male and half female. By 1851, there were 88 male and 196 female Evelyns.
Surname: Shaffer
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 Evelyn is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:
Popularity Over Time
Popularity of the name Evelyn by decade, based on birth registration data:
Notable People Named Evelyn Shaffer
- Evelyn Waugh (science fiction writer, 1903)
- Margot Fonteyn (dancer, 1919)
- Angela Bassett (manufacturer, 1958)
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 Evelyn Shaffer:
Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.
Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.
Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.
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 Evelyn?
- The first name Evelyn originates from English. Evelyn is a matronymic English surname derived from the medieval girl's name Aveline (which is of Norman origin and represents a diminutive form of Ava). Since the 17th century, it has also been used as a given name. The earliest recorded bearer was Evelyn Pierrepont (d. 1726), who was a grandson of the Roundhead politician Sir John Evelyn. The family subsequently used the name for both male and female children, including Pierrepont's third daughter. The English census of 1841 listed 84 Evelyns, half male and half female. By 1851, there were 88 male and 196 female Evelyns.
- When was Evelyn most popular?
- The name Evelyn reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
- What is the origin of the surname Shaffer?
- The surname Shaffer 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.
- What are the origins of the name Evelyn Shaffer?
- The name Evelyn Shaffer combines two different traditions: the first name Evelyn has English roots, while the surname Shaffer originates from Germanic.