Joann Shafer

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Joann Shafer — English
211K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Joann Shafer is a name that combines English origins. The first name Joann is a feminine given name of English origin. Jo-Ann Stores, LLC, (stylized JOANN) was an American specialty retail chain that specialized in fabrics and arts and crafts supplies. The chain was based in Hudson, Ohio and operated over 800 stores across 49 U.S. states. By the end of February 2025, the company began the process of liquidating all of its stores after failing to obtain a buyer. Two hundred fifty-five of the chain's stores were shuttered by the end of April, while the remaining 535 locations were permanently closed by May 30, 2025. The surname Shafer: 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. Joann is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 211K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Joann reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Joann

English

Jo-Ann Stores, LLC, (stylized JOANN) was an American specialty retail chain that specialized in fabrics and arts and crafts supplies. The chain was based in Hudson, Ohio and operated over 800 stores across 49 U.S. states. By the end of February 2025, the company began the process of liquidating all of its stores after failing to obtain a buyer. Two hundred fifty-five of the chain's stores were shuttered by the end of April, while the remaining 535 locations were permanently closed by May 30, 2025.

Surname: Shafer

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.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Joann is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 10%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Joann by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Joann Shafer

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 Joann Shafer:

3
Expression Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

4
Soul Urge Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

8
Personality Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

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 Joann?
The first name Joann originates from English. Jo-Ann Stores, LLC, (stylized JOANN) was an American specialty retail chain that specialized in fabrics and arts and crafts supplies. The chain was based in Hudson, Ohio and operated over 800 stores across 49 U.S. states. By the end of February 2025, the company began the process of liquidating all of its stores after failing to obtain a buyer. Two hundred fifty-five of the chain's stores were shuttered by the end of April, while the remaining 535 locations were permanently closed by May 30, 2025.
When was Joann most popular?
The name Joann reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Shafer?
The surname Shafer 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 Joann Shafer?
The name Joann Shafer combines two different traditions: the first name Joann has English roots, while the surname Shafer originates from Germanic.
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