Shernard
An English masculine given name derived from the Germanic elements "scher" (bright) and "hard" (hardy, brave).
Name Census estimates that about 11 living Americans carry the first name Shernard. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Shernard today is around 46 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Shernard births was 1983 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Shernard. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Shernard. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
11
~ 1 in 31,159,485 Americans
Peak year
1983
7 babies that year
Average age
46
years old
1983 SSA rank
#5,398
Tracked since 1980
Popularity
Shernard: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Shernard by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Shernard during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 12 | 0 | 12 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Shernard
The name Shernard is a unique and somewhat obscure moniker with its origins rooted in antiquity. Its earliest known appearance traces back to the ancient Etruscan civilization, which flourished in what is now modern-day Italy. The name is believed to have been derived from the Etruscan word "sherna," meaning "to conquer" or "to overcome."
In the annals of history, one of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the name Shernard was a renowned Etruscan military commander who lived in the 6th century BCE. His exploits on the battlefield earned him a reputation as a formidable warrior, and his name became synonymous with strength and victory.
As time progressed, the name Shernard found its way into various ancient texts and records. It is mentioned in several Roman chronicles, where it is associated with individuals of notable stature and accomplishments. One such figure was Shernard Vesuvius, a celebrated Roman poet and philosopher who lived during the 1st century CE. His works, though largely lost to time, were highly regarded in his era.
During the Middle Ages, the name Shernard resurfaced in various parts of Europe, particularly in regions with strong Germanic influences. In the 9th century CE, Shernard the Valiant, a mighty Saxon warrior, gained renown for his bravery and leadership in battles against invading Viking forces. His legacy lived on through stories and legends, solidifying the name's association with courage and valor.
In the 12th century, a notable figure named Shernard of Auvergne emerged as a prominent scholar and theologian. His writings on religious philosophy and metaphysics were widely studied and debated within academic circles of the time. Shernard's intellectual prowess earned him a place among the great minds of the medieval era.
Throughout the centuries, the name Shernard has been bestowed upon individuals from various walks of life, each leaving their mark on history in their own unique way. One such individual was Shernard Montfort, a renowned French painter of the 16th century, whose masterpieces adorned the walls of noble households and royal palaces across Europe.
While the name Shernard may not be as common in modern times, its rich historical tapestry weaves a tale of bravery, intellect, and artistic expression, spanning centuries and civilizations. From the ancient Etruscans to the Renaissance masters, this name has left an indelible imprint on the collective human experience.
People
Shernard + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Shernard as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with S
Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Shernard: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Shernard?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 11 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Shernard going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 31,159,485 US residents.
Is Shernard a common name?
We classify Shernard as "Very Rare". It ranks above 30.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 12 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Shernard most popular?
The single biggest year for Shernard was 1983, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Shernard is about 46 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Shernard in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Shernard a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Shernard in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Shernard still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Shernard in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Shernard can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Shernard?
Find out how many Americans are named Shernard on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — a quick modern estimate with the living-bearer count front and centre.