Shepard Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Shepard is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Shepard?
Shepard is spelled S-H-E-P-A-R-D. The name has 7 letters.
Shepard at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Shepherd or keeper of sheep.
- Origin
- The name Shepard likely derives from the Old English word for a person who herds or tends sheep, reflecting an occupational origin.
- Pronunciation
- SHEE-puhrd · 2 syllables
Shepard Popularity in 2025
Rank#891
Recorded Births268
- Boys usage rose 51 places to #891 and recorded 24 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Shepard Mean?
Shepherd or keeper of sheep.
Origin: The name Shepard likely derives from the Old English word for a person who herds or tends sheep, reflecting an occupational origin.
How Do You Pronounce Shepard?
PronunciationSHEE-puhrd
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Shepard?
- History
- Shepard has historically been an English surname before being adopted as a given name. It has appeared in various English-speaking records primarily as a family name related to the occupation of shepherding.
Shepard Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2003 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 268 | #891 |
| 2024 | Boys | 244 | #942 |
| 2023 | Boys | 238 | #949 |
| 2022 | Boys | 253 | #913 |
| 2021 | Boys | 233 | #963 |
| 2020 | Boys | 243 | #920 |
| 2019 | Boys | 202 | #1,028 |
| 2018 | Boys | 215 | #964 |
| 2017 | Boys | 228 | #925 |
| 2016 | Boys | 190 | #1,043 |
| 2015 | Boys | 116 | #1,453 |
| 2014 | Boys | 80 | #1,844 |
| 2013 | Girls | 5 | #16,547 |
| 2013 | Boys | 59 | #2,205 |
| 2012 | Boys | 65 | #2,091 |
| 2011 | Boys | 57 | #2,261 |
| 2010 | Boys | 64 | #2,100 |
| 2009 | Boys | 67 | #2,050 |
| 2008 | Boys | 60 | #2,207 |
| 2007 | Boys | 31 | #3,444 |
| 2006 | Boys | 44 | #2,659 |
| 2005 | Boys | 31 | #3,241 |
| 2004 | Boys | 20 | #4,264 |
| 2003 | Boys | 37 | #2,674 |
When Was Shepard Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2025 · Boys
268 recorded births
National rank #891
2022 · Boys
253 recorded births
National rank #913
2024 · Boys
244 recorded births
National rank #942
2020 · Boys
243 recorded births
National rank #920
Where Shepard Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| OK | #311 | 15 |
| AL | #333 | 16 |
| NV | #516 | 5 |
| MS | #522 | 5 |
| SC | #552 | 8 |
| TN | #638 | 11 |
| MO | #648 | 8 |
| LA | #672 | 6 |