Howard vs Shepard

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Howard

Boy #1,056 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"high guardian, high watchman"

Origin: Old Norse

English American

✓ All Clear

Boy #942 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"shepherd, one who tends sheep"

Origin: Old English

English American

✓ All Clear

Howard Rank #1,056

Shepard Rank #942

Shepard is more popular, ranked #942 vs #1056 for Howard.

Is Howard or Shepard more popular?

Shepard is more popular, ranked #942 compared to Howard at #1056 in the United States.

What do Howard and Shepard mean?

Howard means "high guardian, high watchman" (Old Norse origin). Shepard means "shepherd, one who tends sheep" (Old English origin).

Are Howard and Shepard boy or girl names?

Howard is primarily a boy name. Shepard is primarily a boy name.