Updated November 2026
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English
"colt herder"
A variation on the popular Colton, Colter has been climbing up the US charts since 2010. Given to around 1000 boys each year, it is now in the Top 500, and ticks the boxes for being a cool…
Occupational name
"sheep herder"
Shepherd is an occupational surname with a pleasant, pastoral feel, an outdoorsy vibe, a gentle sound and a cool, contemporary energy. The name has been rising steadily in the US since the mid-2000s,…
A variation on the more popular Colton and Colter, Kolter has the on-trend K initial, but still holds the same Wild West vibes as its counterparts and lends itself to familiar nickname Kole. Given to…
English word name
"calf herder"
More common as a surname, a handful of boys get this bovine equivalent of Shepherd each year in the US. It may gain more exposure as one of the occupational names that are one of the most popular…
A rising star and Nameberry favorite for boys, Shepherd, like many surname-style choices, has begun to see use on girls in recent years. Rugged but gentle, earthy yet stylish, spiritual but secular,…
English occupational name
"female shepherd, sheep herder"
You're probably better off using Shepherd or Shepard on a daughter rather than trying to feminize it.
Irish, Anglicization of Laoghaire
"herder"
We'd be leery of this one.
English and French
"bow-maker, cattle herder"
Two completely different images come from its national pronunciations -- BOY-err or boy-AY -- the latter giving it an effete French accent.