Shepherd Boy
Origin(s)
English; Old English
Meaning
English: one who herds sheep; Old English: sceaphierde
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Shepherd has its roots in Old English, where it referred to a person who tended sheep. It has been used as a surname and a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries. The name reflects pastoral life and the importance of sheep herding in agrarian societies. It has also been used metaphorically in religious contexts, symbolizing guidance and care.
Trend Summary
The name Shepherd has seen a gradual increase in popularity in the United States in recent years.
Similar Names
Chandler, Spencer, Ryder, Tucker, Walker, Jasper
Variants
- Shep
International Variants
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Famous people named Shepherd
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Fictional characters named Shepherd
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Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Shepherd was first seen in the United States in 1886. Shepherd has ranked as high as #537 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. In the past 5 years the name Shepherd has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
All data featured information on this baby name page is provided from official Social Security Administration databases. Names, Gender, and Birthdates are updated annually by the SSA for both national and state birth totals. Our records on the national level data back to 1880. If a chart starts after 1880 it's because that baby name first appeared in official SSA records at that time. If you're name shows a data after your birthdate as a start pointing, feel free to contact us using our contact section and we'll happily update with your birth year.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Shepherd (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 147 | |
| TN | 77 | |
| NC | 74 | |
| GA | 56 | |
| FL | 55 | |
| OH | 47 | |
| AL | 44 | |
| CA | 41 | |
| KY | 40 | |
| VA | 35 | |
| IN | 35 | |
| MO | 34 | |
| OK | 31 | |
| SC | 28 | |
| PA | 26 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1886 | 5 |
| 1887 | 6 |
| 1888 | 5 |
| 1912 | 5 |
| 1913 | 5 |
| 1914 | 7 |
| 1915 | 6 |
| 1916 | 9 |
| 1917 | 8 |
| 1918 | 11 |
| 1919 | 10 |
| 1920 | 11 |
| 1921 | 15 |
| 1922 | 8 |
| 1923 | 10 |
| 1924 | 7 |
| 1925 | 10 |
| 1926 | 11 |
| 1927 | 9 |
| 1929 | 9 |
| 1930 | 8 |
| 1932 | 6 |
| 1936 | 5 |
| 1938 | 6 |
| 1940 | 5 |
| 1941 | 5 |
| 1943 | 5 |
| 1944 | 7 |
| 1945 | 6 |
| 1946 | 15 |
| 1947 | 5 |
| 1948 | 6 |
| 1949 | 10 |
| 1952 | 9 |
| 1953 | 5 |
| 1954 | 10 |
| 1955 | 9 |
| 1956 | 10 |
| 1958 | 6 |
| 1959 | 6 |
| 1960 | 6 |
| 1961 | 10 |
| 1963 | 5 |
| 1964 | 6 |
| 1965 | 10 |
| 1966 | 8 |
| 1968 | 8 |
| 1969 | 7 |
| 1970 | 13 |
| 1971 | 9 |
| 1975 | 9 |
| 1977 | 7 |
| 1978 | 5 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1982 | 7 |
| 1989 | 8 |
| 1990 | 6 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1995 | 10 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 1997 | 9 |
| 1998 | 12 |
| 1999 | 8 |
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 32 |
| 2006 | 39 |
| 2007 | 34 |
| 2008 | 65 |
| 2009 | 70 |
| 2010 | 102 |
| 2011 | 103 |
| 2012 | 102 |
| 2013 | 93 |
| 2014 | 164 |
| 2015 | 174 |
| 2016 | 265 |
| 2017 | 293 |
| 2018 | 339 |
| 2019 | 434 |
| 2020 | 463 |
| 2021 | 557 |
| 2022 | 618 |
| 2023 | 789 |
| 2024 | 1,094 |