Schaefer

Reminiscent of Schuyler, Saylor, Shay, and, of course, Shepherd, this German surname has a gentle, outdoorsy meaning and could fit in with other preppy last-names-as-first-names like Colter, Parker, and Tanner. Given to 5 boys in the US in 2024, it is a quietly used and rare option, though we can't see it overtaking Shepherd anytime soon.

Pronounced SHAY-fer.

As of October 2026, Schaefer ranked #13565 for boys in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #6870 for boys in 1994.