Herold Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HER-uhld //ˈhɛr.əld//
Origin: German; English
Meaning: Army ruler; brave warrior
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Herold has its roots in the Old High German name 'Heraldo,' which is derived from the elements 'heri,' meaning 'army,' and 'wald,' meaning 'to rule' or 'to govern.' This etymological composition suggests a meaning akin to 'ruler of the army' or 'commander.' The name transitioned into various forms through linguistic evolution, including the Middle High German 'Herolt' and eventually into the modern form 'Herold' as it entered English usage, likely through Norman influence after the Conquest in the 11th century. The name is also related to the Old Norse 'Harald,' which shares similar components and meanings.
Historically, the name Herold has been associated with several notable figures. One significant milestone is its appearance in medieval texts, where it was often used to denote a herald or messenger, a role that was crucial in the feudal system for communication and announcements.
The name has been borne by various nobles and leaders throughout the Middle Ages, contributing to its recognition in European history. Additionally, the name appears in various forms in literature and chronicles, reflecting its use among the aristocracy and its connection to chivalric traditions.
Culturally, the name Herold carries connotations of leadership and authority, resonating with the martial and noble qualities attributed to its etymological roots. The role of a herald was not only one of communication but also of honor and status, often associated with the display of coats of arms and the organization of tournaments.
This historical significance has allowed the name to endure through the centuries, maintaining its association with nobility and governance. A diminutive form, 'Harry,' has also emerged from related names, further illustrating the name's adaptability and cultural resonance.
Famous people named Herold
In this section, you will find notable people named Herold. 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 Herold who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Herold 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.
Herold K. Brown is a chemist best known for his work in the field of polymer science and materials engineering.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Herold, 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 Herold. 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 Herold was first seen in the United States in 1894.
Herold has ranked as high as #884 nationally, which occurred in 1923, and has been most popular in West Virginia.
In the past 5 years the name Herold has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Herold 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 Herold was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Herold (1932)
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.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| WV | 5 |
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 Herold.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 5 |
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1988 | 5 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1970 | 6 |
| 1969 | 5 |
| 1967 | 6 |
| 1962 | 5 |
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1958 | 7 |
| 1955 | 6 |
| 1954 | 5 |
| 1953 | 7 |
| 1951 | 9 |
| 1950 | 7 |
| 1948 | 7 |
| 1947 | 9 |
| 1946 | 5 |
| 1945 | 10 |
| 1944 | 9 |
| 1943 | 9 |
| 1942 | 5 |
| 1941 | 7 |
| 1939 | 14 |
| 1938 | 9 |
| 1937 | 15 |
| 1936 | 8 |
| 1935 | 10 |
| 1934 | 16 |
| 1933 | 16 |
| 1932 | 19 |
| 1931 | 9 |
| 1930 | 14 |
| 1929 | 20 |
| 1928 | 19 |
| 1927 | 13 |
| 1926 | 19 |
| 1925 | 15 |
| 1924 | 17 |
| 1923 | 26 |
| 1922 | 18 |
| 1921 | 15 |
| 1920 | 15 |
| 1919 | 17 |
| 1918 | 14 |
| 1917 | 10 |
| 1916 | 24 |
| 1915 | 22 |
| 1914 | 19 |
| 1913 | 12 |
| 1912 | 16 |
| 1911 | 6 |
| 1910 | 6 |
| 1894 | 5 |