Shepherd

How to say it

/ˈʃɛp.ɚd/

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.

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

• Hunter One who hunts
• Palmer Pilgrim
• Parker Park keeper

See Shepherd from another angle