Shepherd

English, "sheep herder"

A contemporary gem and a Nameberry favorite, Shepherd is the perfect blend of rugged and gentle, spiritual and secular, outdoorsy and preppy. In the US, the name has more than doubled in use since 2020, though it has been seeing a steady rise since the mid-2000s, picking up pace in 2014 after celeb couple Genevieve & Jared Padalecki chose it for their son.

And it’s no surprise really, that Shepherd holds such appeal for parents (and Berries).

A surname-style name as well as an occupational name, a word name with a cottagecore vibe and a nature-connected feel, Shepherd manages to be super stylish without sounding trendy. It comes with a sweet-but-spirited and totally intuitive nickname too – and Shep could fit right in with Mack, Fox, Kip, and Jett.

A subtle nod to Aries, the sign of the ram, or an honor name for a Rachel (“ewe”), an Una (“lamb”), and maybe even a George (“farmer”), Shepherd also has links to the Bible (“the Lord is my shepherd”) and to anyone who acts more generally as a guide. It brings to mind pastoral poetry, Gabriel Oak, and working the land, while also being totally at home alongside modern favorites: Banks, Reeves, and Colton.

Thank you to Nameberry Reader Kat for the suggestion of Shepherd.