The spelling of the surname "Schakowsky" may seem intimidating, but it can be broken down phonetically using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ʃəˈkaʊski/. This indicates that the first syllable begins with the "sh" sound, followed by a short "a" sound and the "kow" sound. The last syllable starts with an "s" sound, then a short "k" sound, and ends with an "ee" sound. So, if one knows the phonetic sounds of the IPA, the spelling of "Schakowsky" can be much easier to understand.
The surname "Schakowsky" appears to have Eastern European Jewish origins. It is derived from the Yiddish name "Shakovsky", which itself is a variant of the Hebrew given name "Yitzchak" (יצחק). "Yitzchak" means "he will laugh" or "he will rejoice" in Hebrew and is a common Jewish name. Over time, the surname "Shakovsky" or "Schakowsky" likely evolved as Jewish families adopted surnames in different regions. The exact etymology of the name may vary depending on family histories and specific linguistic influences.