Walter Schafer
Name meaning, origin and global statistics
Walter Schafer is a name that combines Germanic origins. The first name Walter is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. From the Old High German Waldhar, composed of wald (rule) and heri (army). A name common throughout medieval Europe. The surname Schafer: 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. Walter is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 599K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Walter reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.
Etymology & Origin
First Name: Walter
Meaning: army ruler
Germanic
From the Old High German Waldhar, composed of wald (rule) and heri (army). A name common throughout medieval Europe.
Surname: Schafer
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 Walter is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:
Popularity Over Time
Popularity of the name Walter by decade, based on birth registration data:
Notable People Named Walter Schafer
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 Walter Schafer:
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 Walter?
- The first name Walter originates from Germanic. From the Old High German Waldhar, composed of wald (rule) and heri (army). A name common throughout medieval Europe.
- When was Walter most popular?
- The name Walter reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
- What is the origin of the surname Schafer?
- The surname Schafer 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.
- How common is the surname Schafer?
- The surname Schafer is shared by approximately 25K people worldwide.