Shepard
How to say it: SHEP-urd · /ˈʃɛpərd/
Occupational surname from Old English meaning 'one who tends sheep'; alternate spelling of Shepherd.
Shepard was the 235th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 268 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up 5.7-fold in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #109 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #235 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 268 |
| Share of births | 1 in 1,978 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | ×5.7 |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #109 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Momentum belongs to Shepard, peaking in the 2020s. At its high today, further gains are forecast ahead.
What goes with it
Sharp at the start then softer, with crisp and breathy edges. Shep offers a familiar short form, while Wilder matches its rugged style.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Shepard is about 1 in 83.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English.
Famous people named Shepard
- Shepard Fairey (born 1970)American contemporary street artist, graphic designer activist and illustrator
- Shepard Smith (born 1964)American television news anchor for Fox News and CNBC
- Shepard Menken (1921–1999)American actor
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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