"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters."
Biblical Name · English Origin
Shepherd Meaning in the Bible
Shepherd
boy
Shepherd means "One who tends sheep; Pastoral guardian", a boy's name of English origin. Shepherd appears in the King James Bible, and Psalm 23:1-2 is the passage most often tied to it. Shepherd gives his life for the sheep — green pastures found, still waters reached, the good guardian whose care mirrors Christ the Good Shepherd.
Is Shepherd in the Bible?
Yes — Shepherd appears in the King James Bible, including Psalm 23:1-2.
Pronunciation:/SHEP-erd/
OriginEnglish
MeaningOne who tends sheep; Pastoral guardian
What does Shepherd mean?
Shepherd is a boy name of English origin meaning "One who tends sheep; Pastoral guardian". Shepherd tends the flock — and the LORD is our Shepherd. 'The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Which Nativity Character Are You?
Free KJV Christmas quiz — Mary, Joseph, a shepherd or a wise man? Discover which nativity character you are, with the Luke 2 verse behind your result.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
What does Shepherd mean in the Bible?
Shepherd means "One who tends sheep; Pastoral guardian" and is a name of English origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Shepherd tends the flock — and the LORD is our Shepherd. 'The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.' Shepherd cares for souls as Christ cares for His sheep.
Where does Shepherd appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Shepherd is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Psalm 23:1-2. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Which books of the Bible mention Shepherd?
Shepherd is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Shepherd?
Shepherd gives his life for the sheep — green pastures found, still waters reached, the good guardian whose care mirrors Christ the Good Shepherd.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Shepherd:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Verses About
Bible Verses About Pastoral Care
10 curated KJV verses
Commentary
Matthew 25:40 Commentary
In-depth study • Compassion & Service
Parable
The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
Matthew 25:40 • Compassion & Love
Commentary
John 10:11 Commentary
In-depth study • The Shepherd Who Dies for the Sheep
Q&A
Does Everyone Have a Guardian Angel?
Miracles & Supernatural
Q&A
Does Everyone Have a Guardian Angel?
Miracles & Supernatural
Names like Shepherd
Other English biblical names that share the spirit of "One who tends sheep; Pastoral guardian" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Shepherd
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Shepherd
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Shepherd name meaning: frequently asked questions
Common questions about the name Shepherd
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Shepherd?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Shepherd?
You can read every verse where Shepherd appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.