Virgil Shaffer

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Virgil Shaffer — Irish
74K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Virgil Shaffer is a name that combines Irish origins. The first name Virgil is a masculine given name of Irish origin. Virgil is the most common modern English name used for the Roman poet Publius Vergilius Maro (70–19 BC). It functions as a given name or surname made popular by the fame of Virgil. The variant form of this name is Vergil. Notable people with the name Virgil include: As a given name St. Virgil of Salzburg (aka Vergilius/Vigil/Fearghal/Fergal), an eighth-century Irish bishop and astronomer Virgil Abloh (1980–2021), an American fashion designer and founder of fashion label Off-White Virgil Aldrich (1903–1998), an American philosopher Virgil I. 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. Virgil is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 74K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Virgil reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Virgil

Irish

Virgil is the most common modern English name used for the Roman poet Publius Vergilius Maro (70–19 BC). It functions as a given name or surname made popular by the fame of Virgil. The variant form of this name is Vergil. Notable people with the name Virgil include: As a given name St. Virgil of Salzburg (aka Vergilius/Vigil/Fearghal/Fergal), an eighth-century Irish bishop and astronomer Virgil Abloh (1980–2021), an American fashion designer and founder of fashion label Off-White Virgil Aldrich (1903–1998), an American philosopher Virgil I.

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.

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Geographic Distribution

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

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 13%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

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

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Virgil Shaffer:

5
Expression Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

6
Soul Urge Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

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 Virgil?
The first name Virgil originates from Irish. Virgil is the most common modern English name used for the Roman poet Publius Vergilius Maro (70–19 BC). It functions as a given name or surname made popular by the fame of Virgil. The variant form of this name is Vergil. Notable people with the name Virgil include: As a given name St. Virgil of Salzburg (aka Vergilius/Vigil/Fearghal/Fergal), an eighth-century Irish bishop and astronomer Virgil Abloh (1980–2021), an American fashion designer and founder of fashion label Off-White Virgil Aldrich (1903–1998), an American philosopher Virgil I.
When was Virgil most popular?
The name Virgil 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 Virgil Shaffer?
The name Virgil Shaffer combines two different traditions: the first name Virgil has Irish roots, while the surname Shaffer originates from Germanic.
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