Are you bored of vetoing names with regular meanings? Since the last decade or so baby names and their meanings have sparked people’s interest on a whole new level. It is a strong conviction of many that the name given at birth shapes one’s personality and attributes.
If you’re looking for a name with a profound and inspirational meaning then we’ve got good news for you! Here’s a list of names that hold the meaning “shepherd”. What’s so great about the word shepherd you may ask? The word shepherd signifies a natural-born leader and is an embodiment of the elements of protection, guidance, and culture.
So if you want a head-strong leader with characteristics of leadership and guardianship, keep an open mind and have a good time devouring these classic names meaning shepherd!
Sections
Boy Names That Mean Shepherd
1. Dolius
This endearing name is of Greek origin and is usually given to boys belonging to the Christian faith. Dolius or Dolios is also a name familiar in Greek mythology and has the meaning of shepherd.
2. Barker
Barker is of English origin and it goes back to the twelfth century. It has several meanings including “leather tanner” or “shepherd” originating from the Old French, Berchier a Middle English occupational name for a shepherd.
3. Endymion
If you’re big on Greek mythology and good looks then this next name might make it to your baby name list! Pronounce like “Endim-ee-uhn”, Greek mythology describes Endymion as a handsome shepherd/prince of Elis.
4. Ramiar
Not a very commonly heard name, Ramiar stems from Persian roots and has the meaning of “shepherd”.
5. Pastor
Originating from the Latin word pāstor, this Christian name means “shepherd”. Pastor itself is derived from the Latin verb pascere which means “to protect, to graze or to nourish”. You can count on your little Pastor to protect and lead his brethren!
6. Calbex
Of English origin, Calbex is a rare Christian name meaning “shepherd”.
7. Ewert
Ewert is both a noted sir name and a first name, and it has two meanings; “ewe herder and shepherd”. This name is of Old English and German origin and is usually found in the European parts of the world. Famous people with this name include Swedish artist- Ewert Karlsson, and German Actress- Renate Ewert.
8. Daphnis
Daphnis is a Latin name meaning “shepherd”. According to Greek mythology, Daphnis was a Sicilian shepherd who conceived Pastoral poetry idealizing a simple rural life, as a shepherd would.
9. Rei
Like “Ray” but with quirky spellings, Rei is a biblical Hebrew name meaning “my shepherd”.
10. Pan
Greek Mythology portrays Pan as a pipe-playing being who is “Half goat, half man”. He has been described as “the God of shepherds and flocks”.
11. Laoghaire
Like Irish names eh? Aye Aye! Laoghaire is an Irish Christian name meaning “shepherd, herder”.
12. Calvert
Of Anglo-Saxon origin, Calvert is usually used as a surname and is less common as a first name. The meaning of this urbane name is “calf herder and shepherd”.
13. Ovidio
Exotic Latin names are a real fad these days. The name Ovidio is of Spanish origin and means “shepherd and owner of sheep”.
14. Csaba
Csaba is pronounced like “Chaba” and means “shepherd or Gift” in the Hungarian language. According to folklore, this name was shared by a prince of the Szekely people of Transylvania.
15. Errai
The constellation Cepheus has a binary system called Gamma Cephei which created the name Errai meaning “shepherd” in Arabic.
16. Ghannam
Looking for a special Muslim name that means “shepherd”? Ghannam is an Arabic name that means shepherd and what makes it extraordinary is that it is the name of a person who took part in the eminent Islamic battle of Badar.
17. Macgregor
Macgregor, normally heard as a surname, is of Scottish origin and means “son of a shepherd”.
18. Reuel
Pronounced like “Ruw-ahl”, Reuel is a biblical name of Hebrew origin that means “shepherd” and “friend of God”.
19. Sergei
One of the most popular names in Russia particularly in the ’80s, Sergei is a Latin name meaning “protector, shepherd, and guardian”. Famous people named Sergei include Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff and Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia.
20. Malusi
Malusi is a unisex African name of Xhosa origin, meaning “shepherd”.
21. Devagopa
The name Devagopa is of Indian Origin, and in the Hindi language it means “shepherd of the Gods” and also “the one who herds sheep and cows for the Gods”.
22. Dubem
Dubem is an African/Nigerian name for boys. It is mostly popular amongst people from the Christian faith and has the meaning “the lord is my shepherd”.
23. Shivan/Sivan
Of Turkish origin the name Sivan means “shepherd” in the Kurdish language.
24. Nolawi
From the Ethiopian Amharic language, Nolawi is a male name meaning “God is my shepherd”.
25. Opellius
Opellius is a Roman name derived from the Latin word Opilio which means “shepherd, sheep master and pastor”.
26. Cyrus
Of Persian origin, the name Cyrus has multiple names including “the blessed shepherd, far-sighted, and Sun”. This name was put on the map by the first King of Persia, Cyrus the Great.
27. Corydon
According to ancient Greek Pastoral poetry, Corydon, pronounced like “Kaw-ree-duhn”, is a male name given to “shepherds”.
28. Mureithi
Of Kenyan Kikuyu origin, Mureithi is a surname and a first name meaning “shepherd or herdsman”. This name is usually given to the firstborn boy of the family.
29. Ahira
With its origin being Israeli, Ahira is a Hebrew biblical name meaning “brother” of shepherd or brother of iniquity.
30. Unai
Originating from Spain, this name is pronounced “Ooh-nye”. Unai means “the good shepherd” and is popular in the Basque country. Famous people with this name include Spanish football player and manager Unai Emery.
31. Shaffer
Shaffer or Schaefer is of German origin and is derived from the word “schaffaere” which means “shepherd or the one who takes care of sheep”.
32. Silvius
Of Shakespearean Latin origin, Silvius is a male name meaning “as you like it a “shepherd”.
33. Calfhierde
Pronounced “Calf-hier-de”, this Christian name is of English origin and means “shepherd”.
34. Murisi
Of African origin, Murisi means “shepherd” in Xitsonga which is a language spoken by the Tsonga people of South Africa.
35. Paimis
Paimis is thought to have been derived from paimen a word from the Baltic language which means “herdsmen or shepherd”.
36. Boyer
Of French and English origin, Boyer has the meaning “bow maker, cattle herder, and “shepherd”. This name has two pronunciations, “Boy-err” in English and “Boy-ay” in French.
Girl Names That Mean Shepherd
1. Reilynn
The name Reilynn comes from the biblical unisex name “Rei” which means “my companion or my shepherd”. It can also be shortened to “Lynn” as a nickname.
2. Aminta
Coming from the word “amyntor”, Greek mythology describes Aminta as one of the shepherds of ancient Greece. In his play “Aminta”, Italian poet Torquato Tasso portrays the character of Aminta as a shepherd who falls in love with a nymph.
3. Ovidia
The female equivalent of “Ovidio”, this name is of Spanish/Portuguese origin and it means “shepherd or sheep”.
4. Pasztorella
Derived from the Italian word pastorella, this name means “little or young shepherdess”.
5. Nolawit
Nolawit is a female name that stems from Ethiopian roots and it means “shepherdess and also God is my shepherd”.
6. Makino
Of Japanese origin, the name Makino means “pasture, breed, and shepherd”.
7. Meriwether
Of old English origin, this unisex name means “happy shepherd”.
8. Pastora
The female equivalent of Pastor, Pastora is a Christian name of Spanish origin that means “shepherd”.
9. Shwana
Shwana is a name of Turkish origin that means “shepherd” in Kurdish.
10. Royel
This majestic name is of Jewish origin and it means “God is my shepherd”.
11. Lakesia
Pronounced as “Lakesha”, this beautiful name is of English origin and it means “shepherd of children”.
12. Roe
Pronounced like “Row”, this Hebrew name means “shepherd of God”.
13. Artzaina
This female name is also the Southwestern European Basque word for “shepherd”.
14. Jesse
This is a biblical name of Hebrew origin and has been used as the name of King David’s shepherd father in the bible.
