How to say it
SHEP · herd
ˈʃɛp.ɚd
Masculine
Shepherd
Sheep keeper
What it means
English occupational surname from Old English sceaphierde (sceap 'sheep' + hierde 'herder'). Carries the Christian image of the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23, John 10:11). Derek Shepherd ('McDreamy') in Grey's Anatomy (Patrick Dempsey, 2005-2015) is the dominant English-language anchor.
Shepherd is an English occupational surname from the Old English sceaphierde, a compound of sceap ('sheep') and hierde ('herder'). The surname has been documented since the 12th century. The Christian image of the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23 and Jesus's 'I am the good shepherd' in John 10:11) gives the name its strongest religious anchor. Derek Shepherd ('McDreamy') in Grey's Anatomy (Patrick Dempsey, 2005-2015) is the dominant English-language pop-culture anchor; Jerry Seinfeld and Jessica Seinfeld named their son Shepherd (born 2005). As a US first name Shepherd is American and modern, basically post-2005. It entered the US top 1000 in 2010 and the top 600 by 2018. Common short: Shep.
How to spell Shepherd
The standard spelling is Shepherd. Common variants include Shephard, Sheppard, but Shepherd is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #246 in 2025, currently #246 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
Derek Shepherd ('McDreamy,' Patrick Dempsey, 2005-2015) anchors the contemporary feel; the Christian Good Shepherd is the deeper Sunday-school reference.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Derek Shepherd Patrick Dempsey's character in Grey's Anatomy, 2005-2015
- Shepherd Kellen Seinfeld Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld's son, born 2005
Spelling variants
- Shephard
- Sheppard
Names with the same feeling
See Shepherd from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Shepherd mean?
- English occupational surname from Old English sceaphierde (sceap 'sheep' + hierde 'herder'). Carries the Christian image of the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23, John 10:11). Derek Shepherd ('McDreamy') in Grey's Anatomy (Patrick Dempsey, 2005-2015) is the dominant English-language anchor.
- What does Shepherd mean in English?
- In English, Shepherd means "Sheep keeper." Shepherd is an English occupational surname from the Old English sceaphierde, a compound of sceap ('sheep') and hierde ('herder'). The surname has been documented since the 12th century. The Christian image of the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23 and Jesus's 'I am the good shepherd' in John 10:11) gives the name its strongest religious anchor. Derek Shepherd ('McDreamy') in Grey's Anatomy (Patrick Dempsey, 2005-2015) is the dominant English-language pop-culture anchor; Jerry Seinfeld and Jessica Seinfeld named their son Shepherd (born 2005). As a US first name Shepherd is American and modern, basically post-2005. It entered the US top 1000 in 2010 and the top 600 by 2018. Common short: Shep.
- How do you pronounce Shepherd?
- Shepherd is pronounced ˈʃɛp.ɚd. Say it as SHEP-herd, with the stress on the "shep" syllable.
- How do you spell Shepherd?
- The standard spelling is Shepherd. Common spelling variants include Shephard, Sheppard.
- Is Shepherd a boy or girl name?
- Shepherd is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Shepherd?
- Shepherd ranked #246 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.