Woodrow Schaefer

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Woodrow Schaefer — English
38K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
Advertisement

Woodrow Schaefer is a name that combines English origins. The first name Woodrow is a masculine given name of English origin. Woodrow is a male English given name and surname. The name is derived from the Middle English wode + reue and the Old English wudu + rǣw, rāw, literally meaning "wood" and "row", "row of houses". The name was originally a surname. It may have been toponymic, referring to people who lived near a row of trees, in a row of houses in the woods, or in particular places, such as Wood Row in Hatfield Broad Oak. Woodrow's use as a given name became popular because of the United States president Woodrow Wilson, who began to use his mother's maiden name after college in lieu of his given name Thomas. The surname Schaefer: 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. Woodrow is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 38K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Woodrow reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Woodrow

English

Woodrow is a male English given name and surname. The name is derived from the Middle English wode + reue and the Old English wudu + rǣw, rāw, literally meaning "wood" and "row", "row of houses". The name was originally a surname. It may have been toponymic, referring to people who lived near a row of trees, in a row of houses in the woods, or in particular places, such as Wood Row in Hatfield Broad Oak. Woodrow's use as a given name became popular because of the United States president Woodrow Wilson, who began to use his mother's maiden name after college in lieu of his given name Thomas.

Surname: Schaefer

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.

Advertisement

Geographic Distribution

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

United States 50%
United Kingdom 29%
Australia 11%
Canada 11%

Popularity Over Time

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

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

Numerology

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

7
Expression Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

11
Soul Urge Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

5
Personality Number

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

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 Woodrow?
The first name Woodrow originates from English. Woodrow is a male English given name and surname. The name is derived from the Middle English wode + reue and the Old English wudu + rǣw, rāw, literally meaning "wood" and "row", "row of houses". The name was originally a surname. It may have been toponymic, referring to people who lived near a row of trees, in a row of houses in the woods, or in particular places, such as Wood Row in Hatfield Broad Oak. Woodrow's use as a given name became popular because of the United States president Woodrow Wilson, who began to use his mother's maiden name after college in lieu of his given name Thomas.
When was Woodrow most popular?
The name Woodrow reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Schaefer?
The surname Schaefer 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 Woodrow Schaefer?
The name Woodrow Schaefer combines two different traditions: the first name Woodrow has English roots, while the surname Schaefer originates from Germanic.
Advertisement