Shepherd is an English surname and given name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English word "scēp" which means shepherd or farmer. The name was originally given to people who worked as shepherds, tending to livestock such as sheep.
The name Shepherd has a long history dating back to medieval times in England. During this period, surnames were adopted to indicate a person's occupation or place of origin. Therefore, the surname Shepherd would have been given to someone who was a shepherd by trade or lived in an area where shepherding was common.
Over time, Shepherd became established as both a surname and a given name. In some cases, families chose to use Shepherd as a given name to honor their heritage or to perpetuate their family name.
Today, Shepherd is still used as a surname and given name in many English-speaking countries around the world. It remains a popular choice for parents looking for a strong, meaningful name with historical significance.
In summary, Shepherd is an Anglo-Saxon name with origins in medieval England. It means shepherd or farmer and was originally given to people who worked in these occupations. Over time, Shepherd became established as both a surname and a given name, and continues to be used today in many countries around the world.
The name Shepherd has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. Between 1886 and 1945, there were fewer than 15 births each year with the given name Shepherd. However, starting from 1946, the number of births began to rise steadily.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the annual birth count ranged between 5 and 13, with a few exceptions reaching up to 20 births per year. This trend continued into the 1970s, with the number of births fluctuating between 5 and 13 annually.
However, starting in the late 1980s, there was a noticeable increase in the popularity of the name Shepherd. In 1989, there were 8 births, which rose to 65 births in 2008. This marked the beginning of an exponential growth period for the name.
From 2008 onwards, the number of births with the name Shepherd has continued to rise dramatically. Between 2014 and 2023, there have been more than 160 births each year, with a peak of 779 births in 2023 alone.
Overall, since 1886 until now, there have been a total of 5262 births of Shepherd in the United States. The name's popularity has fluctuated over time but has seen a significant and consistent increase in recent years, indicating that it is becoming more common as a given name for newborn boys.