Megan Shaffer
Name meaning, origin and global statistics
Megan Shaffer is a name that combines Latin origins. The first name Megan is a feminine given name of Latin origin. Megan is a Welsh feminine given name, originally a diminutive form of Margaret. Margaret is from the Greek μαργαρίτης (margarítēs), Latin margarīta, "pearl". Megan is one of the most popular Welsh-language names for women in Wales and England, and is commonly truncated to Meg. Megan was one of the most popular feminine names in the English-speaking world in the 1990s, peaking in 1990 in the United States and 1999 in the United Kingdom. Approximately 54% of people named Megan born in the US were born in 1990 or later. 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. Megan is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 228K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Megan reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.
Etymology & Origin
First Name: Megan
Meaning: pearl
Latin
Megan is a Welsh feminine given name, originally a diminutive form of Margaret. Margaret is from the Greek μαργαρίτης (margarítēs), Latin margarīta, "pearl". Megan is one of the most popular Welsh-language names for women in Wales and England, and is commonly truncated to Meg. Megan was one of the most popular feminine names in the English-speaking world in the 1990s, peaking in 1990 in the United States and 1999 in the United Kingdom. Approximately 54% of people named Megan born in the US were born in 1990 or later.
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 Megan is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:
Popularity Over Time
Popularity of the name Megan 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 Megan Shaffer:
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 Megan?
- The first name Megan originates from Latin. Megan is a Welsh feminine given name, originally a diminutive form of Margaret. Margaret is from the Greek μαργαρίτης (margarítēs), Latin margarīta, "pearl". Megan is one of the most popular Welsh-language names for women in Wales and England, and is commonly truncated to Meg. Megan was one of the most popular feminine names in the English-speaking world in the 1990s, peaking in 1990 in the United States and 1999 in the United Kingdom. Approximately 54% of people named Megan born in the US were born in 1990 or later.
- When was Megan most popular?
- The name Megan 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 Megan Shaffer?
- The name Megan Shaffer combines two different traditions: the first name Megan has Latin roots, while the surname Shaffer originates from Germanic.