Home › Baby Names Directory › Sheppard

Sheppard

♂ Boy

Sheppard Pronunciation

Sheppard is pronounced SHEP-ərd /ˈʃɛp.ərd/High

Meaning: Occupational surname for a shepherd — Old English sceaphierde, 'sheep herder' — in its double-p spellingHigh

In 30 seconds: The flock-keeper with surname formality: Sheppard spells the shepherd the way court dockets and astronaut rosters do. Psalm 23 energy, double-p tailoring.

💕 Browse more names

Origin HighEnglish

MeaningOccupational surname for a shepherd — Old English sceaphierde, 'sheep herder' — in its double-p spelling

U.S. rank (2024)#3374 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births35 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 676

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Sheppard is the double-p form of the occupational surname for a shepherd — Old English sceaphierde — from the centuries when wool built England. The spelling rides with Australian rock band Sheppard, TV's Dr. Derek Shepherd-adjacent fame, and a long line of jurists and pilots.

As a first name it joins the pastoral-surname lane beside Shepherd itself (which celebrity use has warmed). Shep — friendliest nickname in the kennel — comes standard. It remains rare.

Did you know? Alan Shepard — single p — was the first American in space; the surname's spellings have been orbiting English records since sheep paid the kingdom's bills.

Overall data confidence 90%

Dictionary of American Family Names — Shepherd/Sheppard — occupational origin

Variations

ShepherdShepardShep

Nicknames

Shep

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Sheppard…

Shepherd— the word-spelling sibling of the same flock

Shepard— the astronaut spelling in the same family

Walker— a fellow working-man surname pick

Ranger— another outdoors-occupation name of the era

→ See all names like Sheppard

Browse the whole category: All English names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Sheppard?

Sheppard is pronounced SHEP-ərd (/ˈʃɛp.ərd/). Press play above to hear Sheppard said aloud.

How do you say Sheppard?

Sheppard is said SHEP-ərd (/ˈʃɛp.ərd/). Press play above to hear Sheppard said aloud.

What does the name Sheppard mean?

Sheppard is an occupational surname meaning 'shepherd', from Old English for sheep herder.

Is Sheppard a boy or girl name?

Sheppard is a boy's name.

How popular is Sheppard?

Sheppard is a rare first name in the U.S.