Sheppard
Sheppard is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Shepherd or guardian of sheep.
Origin and history
Sheppard is an English surname derived from an occupational name meaning shepherd. It originated as a name for a guardian of sheep or a rural keeper. In the United States, it is a rare but classic surname-as-first-name choice that has seen a slight uptick in recent years.
Popularity in the United States
716 babies in the United States have been named Sheppard since 1880. It ranks #3960 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1732.
States where it is most popular
- TX (69.4 %)
- NC (16.7 %)
- NY (13.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 36 |
| 1920-1930 | 51 |
| 1930-1940 | 30 |
| 1940-1950 | 40 |
| 1950-1960 | 74 |
| 1960-1970 | 26 |
| 1970-1980 | 24 |
| 1980-1990 | 5 |
| 1990-2000 | 6 |
| 2000-2010 | 60 |
| 2010-2019 | 164 |
| 2020-2029 | 195 |
Nicknames
Shep
Fun facts
- It originated from the Old English words 'sceap' (sheep) and 'hyrde' (herder or keeper).
- It is a variant spelling of Shepherd and Shepherdson, historically used to distinguish specific family lines.