Dear Jennifer,

I recently watched a movie called “Triple Dog” and the main character was a girl named Chapin.

I noticed you didn’t have it on the website and I would really like to know what it means.

Thanks, Anna

Dear Anna,

That’s a great question!  Chapin is a surname that is derived from the French word “eschapin” or Spanish “chapín,’ which both mean a type of women’s shoe. 

Most probably it was used as an occupational name for a shoemaker or someone who wore this type of footwear.

I remember musician Harry Chapin (“Cat’s in the Cradle”) and think it would make an awesome first name. I have added it to the database!

Good luck,

Jennifer