Shepherd
Shepherd is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
One who herds or tends sheep.
Origin and history
Shepherd originated as an English occupational surname denoting someone who tended sheep. It has experienced a rapid rise in popularity in the United States in recent years as an occupational given name. Today, it offers a rustic, vintage charm that appeals to modern parents.
Popularity in the United States
7,785 babies in the United States have been named Shepherd since 1880. It ranks #1373 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #386.
States where it is most popular
- TX (16.4 %)
- NC (6.9 %)
- TN (6.8 %)
- GA (6.1 %)
- CA (5.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 16 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 61 |
| 1920-1930 | 90 |
| 1930-1940 | 25 |
| 1940-1950 | 64 |
| 1950-1960 | 55 |
| 1960-1970 | 60 |
| 1970-1980 | 48 |
| 1980-1990 | 15 |
| 1990-2000 | 57 |
| 2000-2010 | 289 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,069 |
| 2020-2029 | 4,936 |
Nicknames
Shep
Fun facts
- Although historically rare as a given name, the majority of its total recorded U.S. usages have occurred in recent years.
- Derived from the Old English words 'sceap' (sheep) and 'hyrde' (herder).