How Many People Are Named Shepherd?
Complete statistics for the name Shepherd: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Shepherd means 'herdsman' and has roots in Old English, making it a rare choice for boys. Only 1 in 54,165 Americans are named Shepherd, with just 6,093 people bearing this unique moniker today. The name peaked in 2024, showing its status as a modern, rising trend.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 11 is often associated with spiritual insight and intuition, suggesting that people named Shepherd might possess these qualities.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 12All 6,392 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 2024Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Shepherd Through the Generations
Shepherd stands out as a name that's truly of the new generation, with 93% of those named under 30 years old. Born in 2024, the peak year saw 1,104 births, marking a significant rise in popularity. Today, there are 5,930 under-30s, 114 aged 30-60, and 348 over 60, indicating a youthful demographic that's likely to grow as the name continues to gain traction.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Shepherd's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Shepherd
How Many People Have the Name Shepherd?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 59,896 people in the United States currently share the name Shepherd. That works out to roughly 1 in every 5,534 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.
Is Shepherd a Common or Rare Name?
Shepherd is classified as Uncommon. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Shepherd Mean?
Shepherd means "herdsman" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 11.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Shepherd in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Shepherd Most Popular?
The name Shepherd reached peak popularity in 2024, with 1,104 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Shepherd?
Approximately 59,896 people named Shepherd live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 59,896. That works out to roughly 1 in 5,534 Americans.
Is Shepherd a rare name?
Shepherd is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 5,534 Americans has this name.
What does the name Shepherd mean?
Shepherd means "herdsman" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Shepherd more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Shepherd are male and 0% are female.
When was Shepherd most popular?
Shepherd peaked in 2024 with 1,104 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.