Shepherd
How to say it: SHEP-urd · /ˈʃɛpərd/
English occupational word meaning one who herds sheep, from Old English 'sceaphierde'; used as a pastoral given name.
Shepherd was the 235th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 1,408 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 | 1,408 |
| 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
Pastoral and rising, Shepherd achieved its greatest success in the 2020s. Now at its zenith, it promises additional ascent.
What goes with it
Crisp at the opening then softening, it feels grounded and pastoral. Shep as a nickname keeps the warmth, while Wilder shares the trail style.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Shepherd is about 1 in 83.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English.
Keep exploring
About as popular as Shepherd
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