Shepherd

At a Glance: Name: Shepherd – Meaning: one who tends and guards sheep – Origin: English (occupational) – Gender: Neutral – Pronunciation: SHEP-erd

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Shepherd is an English occupational name that literally means one who tends and guards sheep. It's pronounced SHEP-erd, and it's a gender-neutral pick with a timeless, classic feel. If you like names with a clear, literal job-title root, this is a straightforward one to consider.

Meaning & Origin of Shepherd

Meaning: One who tends and guards sheep.

Origin: English (occupational).

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Shepherd

Phonetic: SHEP-erd   IPA: /ˈʃɛpərd/

Popularity of Shepherd

Shepherd ranked #311 on the Social Security list in 2024, with 1,094 babies given the name — and that same year is also its highest rank on record across Social Security data going back to 1886.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1886–2024.

Make Shepherd Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Shepherd, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Blake
• Briggs
• Camden
• Chance
• Dallas
• Easton

FAQ

What does the name Shepherd mean?

One who tends and guards sheep. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Shepherd)

How do you pronounce Shepherd?

Shepherd is pronounced SHEP-erd (IPA: /ˈʃɛpərd/).

Is Shepherd a popular name right now?

Shepherd is at its highest recorded popularity right now, ranked #311 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1886–2024.)

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