Herod Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HER-uhd //ˈhɛrəd//
Origin: Hebrew; Greek
Meaning: Hebrew: 'hero' or 'exalted'; Greek: 'hero'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Herod is derived from the Greek name Ἡρώδης (Hērōdēs), which itself comes from the Hebrew name הֵרוֹד (Herod), meaning "heroic" or "hero." The etymological roots trace back to the Hebrew word "gibor," meaning "mighty" or "valiant." The name entered the English language through the Latin form Herodes, which was used in the Vulgate, the late 4th-century Latin translation of the Bible. This transition reflects the broader historical movement of names and terms through various languages and cultures, particularly during the spread of Christianity and the translation of biblical texts into vernacular languages.
Historically, the name Herod is most notably associated with the Herodian dynasty, particularly Herod the Great, who ruled Judea from 37 BCE to 4 BCE. He is recognized for his significant architectural projects, including the expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, and for his role in the biblical narrative surrounding the birth of Jesus, as recounted in the Gospel of Matthew.
Herod's reign marked a period of relative peace and prosperity, but also of political intrigue and brutality, including the infamous Massacre of the Innocents. The name has been preserved in various historical texts and religious writings, contributing to its lasting significance.
Culturally, the name Herod has come to symbolize tyranny and excess, particularly due to the biblical accounts of Herod the Great's actions. This association has influenced literature and art throughout the centuries, often depicting Herod as a figure of moral complexity and ambition.
The name has also been used in various forms in literature and drama, reinforcing its resonance in cultural narratives. Additionally, the diminutive form "Harry" has been historically linked to the name, though its usage diverges significantly from the original context of Herod.
Fictional characters named Herod
The following list of fictional characters named Herod 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.
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Herod is a fictional character from the biblical narrative of the New Testament. He is known as King Herod, who ordered the Massacre of the Innocents in an attempt to eliminate the newborn Jesus.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Herod, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Herod. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Herod was first seen in the United States in 1921.
Herod has ranked as high as #909 nationally, which occurred in 1924, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Herod has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Herod 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 Herod was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Herod
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
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 Herod.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1968 | 5 |
| 1928 | 5 |
| 1927 | 5 |
| 1925 | 5 |
| 1924 | 7 |
| 1922 | 5 |
| 1921 | 5 |