N
NamyLab

Shepherd

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"One who Herds"

Occupational term and surname for a herdsman, adopted as a given name within English surname-as-first naming.

Themes:occupationsurnameenglish

Fact-checked by Marcus Chen

B.A. Anthropology, UC BerkeleyMultilingual (4 languages)Cultural Research Fellow • Senior Name Researcher

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Shepherd

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#311Top 500

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#311

Shepherd was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+93

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Shepherd Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Shepherd.

9 ideas
Shep
Nickname
shey
Nickname
shep
Nickname
shie
Nickname
sho
Nickname
herd
Nickname
erdy
Nickname
sh
Nickname
SH
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Shepherd

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Shepherd, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

12 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Shepherd mean?
Shepherd means "One who Herds". Occupational term and surname for a herdsman, adopted as a given name within English surname-as-first naming.
What is the origin of Shepherd?
Shepherd is of English origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Shepherd?
According to the latest SSA data, Shepherd is currently ranked #311 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Shepherd a boy name?
Shepherd is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Shepherd?
Popular nicknames for Shepherd include Shep, shey, shep, shie, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Shepherd?
There are many names similar to Shepherd in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginEnglish
Syllables2
Length8 letters
US Rank#311
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withS

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Shepherd

Shepherd has English roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our English baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Shepherd appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Traditional English Names and Names That Mean Miracle And Blessing for Boys and Girls for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Travel And Adventure for Boys and Girls and Popular Boy Names in CANADA.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Shepherd pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Shepherd beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.