Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Shepherd

Shepherd

♀ Girl

Pronounced SHEP-urd /ˈʃɛp.ɚd/High

Meaning: From the Old English sceaphierde, 'one who herds sheep; a guardian/protector' (also evoking the Good Shepherd); an occupational surname; more often a boys' name; here for a girlLow

In 30 seconds: One who herds sheep; a guardian: Shepherd is English. Crisp, classic, and warm. More often a boys' name — here a girl.
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFrom the Old English sceaphierde, 'one who herds sheep; a guardian/protector' (also evoking the Good Shepherd); an occupational surname; more often a boys' name; here for a girl
U.S. rank (2025)#11785 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births8 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 30

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202420112025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Shepherd comes from the Old English sceaphierde, 'one who herds sheep; a guardian/protector' (also evoking the Good Shepherd); an occupational surname (more often a boys' name; here for a girl). A crisp, classic name (slug distinguished; said 'SHEP-urd').

In the U.S. it appears as a surname-turned-first-name, more common for boys. Rare for a girl, a-guardian at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Shepherd is an English occupational surname, 'one who herds sheep; a guardian' (also evoking the Good Shepherd) — more often a boys' name; here for a girl (said 'SHEP-urd').
Overall data confidence 34%
References — Shepherd — English occupational surname

Variations

ShephardSheppard

Nicknames

Shep

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Shepherd…

Sawyer— a fellow occupational-surname unisex name
Harper— a companion occupational-surname girls' name
Emerson— a kin surname-name girls' name
Sutton— a sound-adjacent surname-name girls' name

Explore names like Shepherd

By themeenglishsurname-namecross-sex

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Shepherd mean?

Shepherd is an English occupational surname, 'one who herds sheep; a guardian' (also evoking the Good Shepherd). It is more often a boys' name; here for a girl.

How do you pronounce Shepherd?

It's said SHEP-urd /ˈʃɛp.ɚd/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Shepherd a boy or girl name?

Shepherd is more often a boys' name; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Shepherd?

Shepherd is a rare given name, and rarer still for girls.

💬 Ask Nia