Shepard is an English surname and a given name of American origin. The name Shepard is derived from the Old English word 'sciphere', which means 'shipmaker'. Over time, the spelling evolved to 'Schipper', then 'Skipper' before finally becoming 'Shepard'.
The name Shepard was historically associated with the occupation of shipmaking or being a skipper (captain) of a ship. In some cases, it may also have referred to someone who lived near a shed or outbuilding.
In recent years, Shepard has gained popularity as a given name in America, particularly after the release of the video game series 'Mass Effect', created by BioWare. The protagonist of this series is Commander Shepard, which has contributed to the rise in popularity of this unique and distinctive name.
Despite its origins, Shepard is not typically associated with any specific historical figures or events. However, there are some notable people who bear this surname, including American football coach Pete Carroll and actor Alec Shepard.
The name Shepard has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past century, with a noticeable spike in recent years.
In the early 20th century, between 1912 and 1965, the number of births with the name Shepard ranged from a low of 5 to a high of 17 per year. This period saw several fluctuations but remained relatively stable overall, with an average of around 10 births per year.
However, beginning in 1964, there was a noticeable decrease in the popularity of the name Shepard, with fewer than 10 births recorded each year until 2001. This period lasted for approximately 37 years.
Starting from 2001 onwards, there has been a significant resurgence in the popularity of the name Shepard. The number of births has increased dramatically, from 15 in 2001 to 253 in 2022. This trend is reflected in the total number of births over time:
- From 1912 to 2000, there were approximately 865 births with the name Shepard.
- From 2001 to present (2022), there have been around 2,345 births.
This data indicates that while Shepard was once a relatively popular name in the early 20th century, it experienced a decline in popularity during the late 20th century. However, since the turn of the millennium, the name Shepard has seen a remarkable resurgence in popularity, becoming increasingly common among newborns in the United States.