Shepherd

Updated: October 14, 2023 by Stephanie Graham

Shepherd is an English occupational name with a pretty obvious meaning, and since about 2016, it's been a name on the rise for baby boys in the United States. In the past, it's mostly been a surname, but that is changing. Some of it could have to do with the fact that several celebrities have chosen the name for their own sons in recent years. Or it could have something to do with the fact that turning surnames into given names is a huge trend right now.

Meaning and Origin of the name Shepherd:

Shepherd is a boy's name of English origin meaning “sheep herder.”

Shepherd is an occupational name for someone who herds sheep. Historically, it was given to those who had the occupation of herding and watching sheep. Shepherd comes from the Old English word sceaphierde, which is a combination of “sceap” (meaning “sheep”) and “hierde” (meaning “herder”).

Symbolism of the name Shepherd:

Of course, many people associate the baby name Shepherd with the occupation of shepherding. In literature, shepherds are often associated with nature, innocence and harmony. In Christianity, God and Jesus are often referred to as shepherds. Shepherds also play a significant role in the Christmas story, so a new parent may choose the name for a baby born around the holiday.

Nicknames for the name Shepherd:

There aren't many common nicknames for the name Shepherd. Shep or Shepp are the nicknames most commonly used. You might want to come up with a specialized, unique nickname that means something special to your family. Check out the list below of nicknames for Shepherd.