Shepherd
Every Shepherd since 1886 — 7,815 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shepherd
Shepherd is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #246 in 2025 with 1,408 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1886, 7,815 American babies have been named Shepherd. Its peak came in 2025, when 1,416 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Shepherd stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shepherd year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | #11,785 | 1,408 | #246 |
| 2024 | 10 | #10,164 | 1,099 | #311 |
| 2023 | — | — | 789 | #405 |
| 2022 | 7 | #13,383 | 619 | #494 |
| 2021 | — | — | 558 | #528 |
| 2020 | — | — | 463 | #595 |
| 2019 | — | — | 434 | #625 |
| 2018 | — | — | 339 | #716 |
| 2017 | — | — | 293 | #791 |
| 2016 | — | — | 265 | #848 |
| 2015 | — | — | 174 | #1,109 |
| 2014 | — | — | 164 | #1,157 |
| 2013 | — | — | 93 | #1,643 |
| 2012 | — | — | 102 | #1,560 |
| 2011 | 5 | #19,156 | 103 | #1,541 |
| 2010 | — | — | 102 | #1,564 |
| 2009 | — | — | 70 | #2,003 |
| 2008 | — | — | 65 | #2,118 |
| 2007 | — | — | 34 | #3,297 |
| 2006 | — | — | 39 | #2,926 |
| 2005 | — | — | 32 | #3,227 |
| 2004 | — | — | 9 | #8,059 |
| 2003 | — | — | 17 | #4,780 |
| 2002 | — | — | 9 | #7,542 |
| 2001 | — | — | 6 | #10,360 |
| 2000 | — | — | 8 | #8,097 |
| 1995 | — | — | 10 | #5,845 |
| 1990 | — | — | 6 | #7,967 |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | 9 | #3,901 |
| 1970 | — | — | 13 | #2,720 |
| 1965 | — | — | 10 | #2,750 |
| 1960 | — | — | 6 | #3,990 |
| 1955 | — | — | 9 | #2,946 |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | 6 | #3,285 |
| 1940 | — | — | 5 | #3,870 |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | 8 | #3,256 |
| 1925 | — | — | 10 | #2,907 |
| 1920 | — | — | 11 | #2,737 |
| 1915 | — | — | 6 | #3,771 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Shepherd in 2025?
Shepherd ranked #246 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,408 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Shepherd?
7,815 babies have been named Shepherd in the United States since 1886, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shepherd most popular?
Shepherd peaked in 2025, when 1,416 newborns received the name.
Is Shepherd a boy or girl name?
Shepherd is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Shepherd rising or falling?
Shepherd is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.