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Shepherd

♂ Boy

Pronounced SHEP-erd /ˈʃɛpərd/High

Meaning: One who tends and herds sheepHigh

In 30 seconds: A noble English occupational name meaning 'one who tends sheep.' Shepherd carries deep pastoral and spiritual resonance — the biblical 'Good Shepherd' gives it a sacred dimension that elevates it far above its workaday origins.
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Origin HighEnglish
MeaningOne who tends and herds sheep
U.S. rank (2025)#246 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births1,408 boys (0.08% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,778

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202518862025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Shepherd is an Old English occupational name from sceaphirde (sheep + herder), meaning one who tends a flock of sheep. Shepherds occupied an important place in both ancient pastoral economies and religious symbolism. In the Hebrew Bible, leaders from Moses to David were shepherds before becoming rulers, reinforcing the shepherd as a figure of wisdom and care.

As a given name, Shepherd has been used sporadically in English-speaking countries for centuries, with fresh momentum in the 21st century alongside other occupational and nature-connected names. It entered the U.S. top 1000 for boys in the 2010s and has been climbing as parents seek names with spiritual depth.

Did you know? In the New Testament, Jesus describes himself as the 'Good Shepherd' (John 10:11) — a metaphor so central to Christianity that the shepherd became one of the faith's most enduring symbols.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Shepherd — etymology notesU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ShepardShep

Nicknames

ShepSheppie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Sam Shepherd (Sam Shepard) (1943–2017)
    American playwright, actor, and director, Pulitzer Prize winner for Buried Child.

If you like Shepherd…

Hunter— occupational English surname with the same rugged pastoral character
Fletcher— medieval English trade name with the same strong, outdoors energy
Tucker— Old English occupational name with the same approachable, two-syllable rhythm
Tanner— fellow Old English trade name with the same warm, grounded feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Shepherd mean?

Shepherd is an Old English occupational name meaning 'one who herds and tends sheep.'

How do you pronounce Shepherd?

It is said SHEP-erd /ˈʃɛpərd/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Shepherd a boy or girl name?

Shepherd is used almost exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Shepherd?

Shepherd entered the U.S. top 1000 for boys in the 2010s and has been rising steadily.