Sheppard Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Sheppard has its origins in Old English, meaning 'sheep herder'. It evolved through historical forms such as 'sceaphierde' and 'shepherd' to its modern spelling. The name reflects traits associated with pastoral life and has biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the Middle Ages and remains a traditional name today.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Sheppard"
Pronunciation
/ˈʃɛpərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Sheppard is derived from the Old English term 'sceaphierde', meaning 'sheep herder' or 'shepherd'. It combines 'sceap' meaning 'sheep' and 'hierde' meaning 'herder'.
Meaning
sheep herder
Language Evolution
Old English: sceaphierde, Middle English: shepherd, Modern English: Sheppard
Historical Usage
The name Sheppard gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages, particularly as a surname for those who worked as shepherds.
Variants & Derivatives
Shepherd, Sheppard, Shepperd
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Sheppard is perceived as a traditional name, often associated with pastoral imagery and a connection to rural life.
Famous People
John Sheppard, a notable American historian., Robert Sheppard, an English poet., Eliot Sheppard, a British artist.
📊 Sheppard Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Sheppard Name Visualizations
✨ Sheppard Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 38 peak births in 2023
Geographic Spread
Popular across 3 US states, with strongest presence in Texas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Sheppard" - Complete Guide (4 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Sheppard". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 4 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Sheppard" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Sheppard"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Sheppard"
"Sheppard" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3619th of 7545 | 81 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4053rd of 6773 | 54 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3316th of 7552 | 115 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6703rd of 10718 | 31 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 13786th of 16616 | 11 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 9737th of 24088 | 90 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 4258th of 23106 | 289 |
Regional Popularity of "Sheppard" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
67.94% 1651st/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
50.26% 3429th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Sheppard" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Sheppard"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Sheppard" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Sheppard" in the United States
The name Sheppard is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Sheppard has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Sheppard' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3619th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4053rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3316th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6703rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 13786th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 9737th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 4258th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Sheppard' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.