Mae Shafer
Name meaning, origin and global statistics
Mae Shafer is a name that combines Latin origins. The first name Mae is a feminine given name of Latin origin. Mae is a feminine given name primarily used in English-speaking countries. Often regarded as a variant of May, it is associated with the Roman goddess Maia, symbolizing spring, growth, and fertility. The name gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is frequently used as a vintage-style given or middle name. Mae also serves as a diminutive for several longer names, including Mary (from Hebrew, meaning "beloved" or "bitter"), Margaret (from Greek, meaning "pearl"), and Mabel (from Latin amabilis, meaning "lovable"). 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. Mae is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 98K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Mae reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.
Etymology & Origin
First Name: Mae
Latin
Mae is a feminine given name primarily used in English-speaking countries. Often regarded as a variant of May, it is associated with the Roman goddess Maia, symbolizing spring, growth, and fertility. The name gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is frequently used as a vintage-style given or middle name. Mae also serves as a diminutive for several longer names, including Mary (from Hebrew, meaning "beloved" or "bitter"), Margaret (from Greek, meaning "pearl"), and Mabel (from Latin amabilis, meaning "lovable").
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.
Geographic Distribution
The first name Mae is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:
Popularity Over Time
Popularity of the name Mae by decade, based on birth registration data:
Numerology
According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Mae Shafer:
Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.
Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.
Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.
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 Mae?
- The first name Mae originates from Latin. Mae is a feminine given name primarily used in English-speaking countries. Often regarded as a variant of May, it is associated with the Roman goddess Maia, symbolizing spring, growth, and fertility. The name gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is frequently used as a vintage-style given or middle name. Mae also serves as a diminutive for several longer names, including Mary (from Hebrew, meaning "beloved" or "bitter"), Margaret (from Greek, meaning "pearl"), and Mabel (from Latin amabilis, meaning "lovable").
- When was Mae most popular?
- The name Mae 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 Mae Shafer?
- The name Mae Shafer combines two different traditions: the first name Mae has Latin roots, while the surname Shafer originates from Germanic.