The first name Shepherd

In 2025, 5 boys were named Shepherd, making it the 3,684th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2024, with 9 births (#2,443).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Shepherd with other names.

In 2025, 1,408 boys born in the United States were named Shepherd, the 246th most popular boys’ name that year.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Nicknames for Shepherd

• Shep

• Edward Shepherd Creasy
  English historian and jurist (1812-1878)
• Frederick Converse
  American classical music composer (1871-1940)
• William S. Benson
  American Navy admiral; (1855-1932)
• Haywood S. Hansell
  American U.S. Air Force major general (1903-1988)

What does the name Shepherd mean?

From shepherd.

How popular is the name Shepherd?

In 2025, 5 boys born in England and Wales were named Shepherd, ranking 3,684th. Its peak was 2024, with 9 births.

What are nicknames for Shepherd?

Common nicknames for Shepherd include Shep.

Is Shepherd a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 7,815 US babies named Shepherd since 1880 were boys.

When was Shepherd most popular?

2025 in the United States, when 1,408 babies were named Shepherd, its highest rank at 246th.

What are other spellings of Shepherd?

Shepard, Shephard, Sheppard and Shepperd.

Is Shepherd also a surname?

Yes. Shepherd is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.