Shepherd, derived from the Old English word "shear," means "shepherd." This masculine given name is of occupational origin and was originally given to boys whose families were involved in shepherding. Over time, Shepherd has evolved into a popular family name as well, with many notable individuals bearing this surname.
"The name Sheppard experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable increase starting from around 2015. Between 1880 and 2014, the number of annual births with this name typically ranged between 5 to 14, with some exceptions reaching up to 12. However, since 2015, there has been a substantial rise, with over 20 births per year consistently, peaking at 38 in 2023. Overall, there have been a total of 641 births recorded with the name Sheppard."