Sheppard is an English surname and given name that has a rich history and meaning. The name is derived from the Old English word "sciphere," which means "shipmaker." Over time, this evolved into "schipherde" and eventually became Sheppard.
The name Sheppard was originally a occupational surname, given to someone who worked as a shipbuilder or sailor. In the Middle Ages, surnames were often taken from trades, professions, or characteristics of an individual's appearance. Therefore, it is believed that the name Sheppard originated in medieval England when many people made their living by working on ships.
The name Sheppard has been used as both a surname and given name for centuries. Some famous individuals with this name include American politician Pete Shepherd, British actor Tom Shepherd, and Australian rugby player David Sheppard.
Despite its historical origins, the meaning behind the name Sheppard is not strictly limited to shipbuilding or sailing. Today, people may choose the name Sheppard for their child simply because they like how it sounds or because it has personal significance to them. Regardless of its origin or meaning, Sheppard remains a distinctive and memorable name with a long and fascinating history.
The name Sheppard has a fascinating history of usage in the United States, as evidenced by these statistics on births per year.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name Sheppard was used consistently but sparingly, with an average of around 5-7 births per year between 1880 and 1934. The highest number of births during this period was 9 in 1917 and 1919.
The 1940s saw a slight increase in the popularity of the name Sheppard, with the number of births ranging from 5 to 12 each year. This trend continued into the 1950s, with an average of around 6-10 births per year.
However, it was not until the late 20th and early 21st centuries that the name Sheppard began to gain significant traction in the United States. Between 1986 and 2023, there were over 5 births each year, with several years seeing double-digit numbers of newborns named Sheppard.
The most notable recent trends include a sharp increase from 2015 onwards, with the number of births ranging from 14 to 38 annually. The highest recorded figure was in 2023, with 38 babies named Sheppard at birth.
In total, there have been 641 births of children named Sheppard in the United States since these records began. This steady growth in popularity over time suggests that the name Sheppard is well-regarded and continues to be a popular choice for parents looking for a strong, unique name for their sons.