Herbert Boy

Popularity: #889 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HER-burt //ˈhɜːrbərt//

Origin: German; Old English

Meaning: Bright army; illustrious warrior

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Herbert has its roots in the Germanic elements "heri," meaning "army," and "berht," meaning "bright" or "famous." This etymological combination suggests a meaning akin to "bright army" or "famous warrior." The name was introduced to England by the Normans in the 11th century, following the Norman Conquest of 1066, and it was recorded in various forms such as "Herberht" in Old English texts. Over time, it evolved into the modern form "Herbert." Historically, the name Herbert has been borne by several notable figures, including Saint Herbert of Derwentwater, a 7th-century hermit and monk whose life was chronicled in hagiographies.

The name also appears in the context of English nobility, with several earls and barons bearing the name throughout the medieval period. One significant literary reference is found in the works of the English poet George Herbert, who lived in the 17th century and is known for his religious poetry, which contributed to the name's cultural resonance during the Renaissance.

The name Herbert has been associated with qualities of strength and brightness, reflecting its linguistic roots. In addition to its historical significance, the name has been embraced in various cultural contexts, often symbolizing nobility and valor.

The diminutive form "Herb" has also emerged, providing a more informal variant that retains the essence of the original name. Overall, Herbert's journey through history illustrates its enduring appeal and the rich tapestry of meanings associated with it.

Famous people named Herbert

In this section, you will find notable people named Herbert. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Herbert who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Herbert who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Herbert Hoover is a U.S. President best known for his term during the Great Depression and the Hoover Dam.

Herbert Marcuse is a philosopher best known for One-Dimensional Man, Eros and Civilization, and his influence on the New Left.

Fictional characters named Herbert

The following list of fictional characters named Herbert is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Herbert the Pervert is a fictional character from the animated TV series Family Guy. He is an elderly man known for his inappropriate behavior and obsession with young boys, particularly Chris Griffin.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Herbert, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

HenryHarrisonHaroldHugoHankHal

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Herbert. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

AlbertEdgarGeraldGilbertWalterVictorFrederickArnold

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Herbert was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Herbert has ranked as high as #51 nationally, which occurred in 1928, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Texas.

In the past 5 years the name Herbert has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Herbert is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Herbert was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Herbert.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 49 49 0
2024 56 56 0
2023 68 68 0
2022 65 65 0
2021 53 53 0
2020 59 59 0
2019 54 54 0
2018 71 71 0
2017 77 77 0
2016 80 80 0
2015 79 79 0
2014 75 75 0
2013 79 79 0
2012 72 72 0
2011 81 81 0
2010 99 99 0
2009 94 94 0
2008 110 110 0
2007 104 104 0
2006 113 113 0
2005 118 118 0
2004 109 109 0
2003 120 120 0
2002 161 161 0
2001 148 148 0
2000 157 157 0
1999 151 151 0
1998 193 193 0
1997 195 195 0
1996 204 204 0
1995 217 217 0
1994 235 235 0
1993 273 273 0
1992 307 307 0
1991 285 285 0
1990 349 349 0
1989 350 350 0
1988 400 400 0
1987 354 349 5
1986 387 382 5
1985 430 430 0
1984 437 437 0
1983 481 481 0
1982 520 515 5
1981 556 551 5
1980 573 568 5
1979 623 617 6
1978 573 568 5
1977 594 587 7
1976 632 632 0
1975 671 671 0
1974 684 677 7
1973 716 707 9
1972 809 804 5
1971 962 951 11
1970 1,040 1,034 6
1969 1,013 1,008 5
1968 1,056 1,056 0
1967 1,161 1,152 9
1966 1,168 1,159 9
1965 1,392 1,380 12
1964 1,402 1,392 10
1963 1,510 1,504 6
1962 1,596 1,580 16
1961 1,700 1,688 12
1960 1,794 1,782 12
1959 1,850 1,844 6
1958 2,094 2,087 7
1957 2,287 2,278 9
1956 2,405 2,397 8
1955 2,521 2,504 17
1954 2,603 2,591 12
1953 2,628 2,617 11
1952 2,672 2,656 16
1951 2,718 2,703 15
1950 2,629 2,621 8
1949 2,743 2,731 12
1948 2,884 2,872 12
1947 2,871 2,856 15
1946 2,827 2,818 9
1945 2,682 2,664 18
1944 2,782 2,773 9
1943 3,055 3,044 11
1942 3,120 3,113 7
1941 2,976 2,964 12
1940 2,891 2,875 16
1939 3,115 3,097 18
1938 3,029 3,014 15
1937 3,053 3,040 13
1936 3,136 3,117 19
1935 3,455 3,437 18
1934 3,611 3,600 11
1933 3,706 3,685 21
1932 4,399 4,368 31
1931 4,824 4,788 36
1930 5,722 5,675 47
1929 7,929 7,881 48
1928 8,113 8,065 48
1927 5,056 5,017 39
1926 4,980 4,939 41
1925 4,956 4,924 32
1924 5,149 5,121 28
1923 5,091 5,071 20
1922 5,066 5,047 19
1921 5,238 5,217 21
1920 5,268 5,249 19
1919 4,981 4,960 21
1918 5,148 5,128 20
1917 4,767 4,745 22
1916 4,479 4,463 16
1915 4,359 4,341 18
1914 3,267 3,253 14
1913 2,733 2,723 10
1912 2,248 2,236 12
1911 1,135 1,125 10
1910 886 886 0
1909 831 831 0
1908 765 759 6
1907 710 710 0
1906 694 689 5
1905 688 681 7
1904 680 680 0
1903 668 668 0
1902 615 615 0
1901 573 573 0
1900 751 751 0
1899 590 590 0
1898 716 716 0
1897 570 565 5
1896 635 635 0
1895 569 569 0
1894 590 585 5
1893 519 519 0
1892 513 513 0
1891 501 501 0
1890 467 467 0
1889 472 472 0
1888 485 485 0
1887 445 445 0
1886 400 400 0
1885 388 388 0
1884 421 421 0
1883 422 422 0
1882 431 431 0
1881 369 369 0
1880 424 424 0

Top States for Herbert (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 7
58%
TX 5
42%