Hi all — my wife and I are expecting a baby boy due September. We like the name Shepard and/or Shep (as full name or nickname). We don’t want it to have any religious connotations so trying to ask around to see what people think. Thanks in advance for any thoughts!!
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[name_f]Welcome[/name_f] to Nameberry and congratulations!
I like [name_m]Shepard[/name_m] and especially [name_m]Shep[/name_m] a lot! I’m a big fan of nicknames as full names and I think [name_m]Shep[/name_m] works, but I do prefer it as a nickname.
[name_m]Shepard[/name_m] or [name_m]Sheppard[/name_m] feel surnamey to me, and it’s only [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] that feels like it could have a religious motivation behind it. So I think in this spelling, you’re fine 
Good luck!
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Thanks for your thought!
I love the name Shepard! (I agree with the previous poster about the spelling difference). I also like [name_m]Shep[/name_m] and do actually think it would make a good stand alone as well. I feel [name_m]Shepard[/name_m] is an unexpected choice but is still familiar and just an overall fun choice
Best of luck! 
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[name_m]Shepard[/name_m] with this spelling helps to avoid religious connotations. I love [name_m]Shep[/name_m]
I am religious but I would probably think of [name_m]German[/name_m] Shepherds (the dogs) before I thought of Jesus/The Good Shepherd! [name_u]Or[/name_u] possibly [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] Book from the [name_u]Firefly[/name_u] TV show.
I would only assume it was a religious name if all the other children in the family had clearly Biblical names.
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Hiya!
congratulations! I absolutely love Shepherd.
I’m religious and honestly don’t really think of the religious connotations at all with this name!
I think if it were a baby born at [name_u]Christmas[/name_u] time the thought might cross my mind a little more.
[name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] is a word name first to me and the origins are Old [name_f]English[/name_f] so it doesn’t feel particularly Biblical. (if the name was of hebrew origin for example it would definitely strengthen the religious ties) I associate [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] with someone who offers protection and guidance - qualities which apply to non-religious contexts too
I agree with @katinka that the spellings [name_m]Sheppard[/name_m] / [name_m]Shepard[/name_m] have more of a surnamey feel so definitely don’t feel religious!!
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Congratulations! I really love the name [name_m]Shepard[/name_m], I think it’s cool and i really like the nickname [name_m]Shep[/name_m] aswell. I’d consider looking around for different spelling variations aswell, other than that I love the name 
I agree with this but a lot of people he meets won’t know how to spell his name, only how to say it.
Another thing to consider is the community you live in. If its 80% Christian then I think it will be considered casually religious, not any big statement though. If its 20% Christian then I don’t think people will make that assumption. Either way I don’t think it will be a big deal.
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