Find out how popular the first name Shepard has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shepard by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Shepard is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Shepard being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 236 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Shepard.

The history of the first name Shepard

The name Shepard is an English occupational name that originated in the Middle Ages, derived from the Old English word "sceaphierde," which means "shepherd" or "keeper of sheep." The name first emerged in the 11th century as a reference to those who tended and protected flocks of sheep, a crucial occupation in medieval agricultural communities.

In medieval England, shepherds played a vital role in the economy and were often respected members of society. The name Shepard became a common surname among those engaged in this profession, and it eventually transitioned into a given name as well.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shepard can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings and population in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Sceapheorde" and "Schepeherdes."

The name Shepard has been borne by several notable individuals throughout history. One prominent figure was Shepard Knapp (1652-1713), a prominent merchant and politician in colonial Massachusetts. He served as the Speaker of the Massachusetts General Court and played a significant role in the colony's governance.

Another notable bearer of the name was Shepard Fairey (born 1970), an American contemporary street artist, graphic designer, and illustrator. He is best known for his iconic "OBEY" campaign and the iconic "Hope" poster featuring Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign.

In the realm of literature, Shepard Stearns (1835-1917) was an American author and journalist who wrote extensively about travel and adventure. His books, such as "The Life and Times of Sir Walter Raleigh" and "The Buccaneer" garnered critical acclaim and provided fascinating insights into historical events and figures.

In the world of science, Shepard Stone (1908-1990) was a pioneering American meteorologist and atmospheric scientist. He made significant contributions to the understanding of atmospheric processes and played a crucial role in the development of modern weather forecasting techniques.

Another notable figure bearing the name Shepard was Alan Shepard (1923-1998), the American astronaut who became the first American to travel into space in 1961. His historic Mercury-Redstone 3 mission paved the way for the subsequent achievements of the NASA space program.

While the name Shepard has maintained a steady presence throughout history, its popularity has fluctuated over time. However, its enduring connection to the pastoral tradition and the occupation of shepherding has ensured its continued use as a given name, carrying with it a sense of protection, guidance, and care for those entrusted to one's charge.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Shepard was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Shepard, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!