Shepard
Meaningsheep herder · English
- US rank
- #891
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #891 in 2025
268 babies were named Shepard in the US in 2025. It has climbed 29 places in five years.
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US births per million boys, 1912–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Shepard you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 6,373 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Shepard, 268 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Shepard would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryShepard first shows up in US birth records in 1912, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 113 years since.
- Best yearShepard is at its all-time high right now: #891 in 2025.
- Then vs nowShepard is 51× more common today than it was in 2000. In 2000 it was given to about 1 in 322,581 baby boys; in 2025, about 1 in 6,373.
- TrendShepard has climbed 29 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #891. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- Where it's lovedShepard is most popular in Oklahoma, where it ranks #311, followed by Alabama (#333) and Nevada (#516). It's in the top 1,000 in 19 states.
- MeaningIn English, Shepard means “sheep herder”.
About the name Shepard
Shepard is a boy name of English origin meaning “sheep herder”. It has 7 letters and 2 syllables, starting with S and ending in “-ard”. US birth records list Shepard for boys from 1912 to 2025, in 96 of those 114 years. Its best year was 2025, when it ranked #891 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #891, with 268 babies.
Origin:English names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 11 | 87,432 boys |
| 1920s | 10 | 96,805 boys |
| 1930s | 7.8 | 128,205 boys |
| 1940s | 6.7 | 148,368 boys |
| 1950s | 4.7 | 214,133 boys |
| 1960s | 3.2 | 315,457 boys |
| 1970s | 2.6 | 380,228 boys |
| 1980s | 1.6 | 613,497 boys |
| 1990s | 2.0 | 505,051 boys |
| 2000s | 16 | 61,614 boys |
| 2010s | 69 | 14,592 boys |
| 2020s | 143 | 7,005 boys |
Other spellings of Shepard
More English boy names
- Boy name: Oliver · olive tree
- Boy name: Henry · ruler of the home
- Unisex name: James · supplanter
- Boy name: William · resolute protector
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Boy name: Jack · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Hudson · son of Hudde
- Unisex name: Julian · of the Julius family
Questions about the name Shepard
What does the name Shepard mean?
Shepard means “sheep herder” in English.
What is the origin of the name Shepard?
Shepard has English roots in our records. Other English names include Oliver, Henry, James.
Is Shepard a boy or girl name?
Shepard is a boy name.
How popular is the name Shepard?
Shepard ranked #891 for US boys in 2025, given to 268 babies. Its best year was 2025 (#891).