Herschel Boy

Popularity: #904 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HER-shel //ˈhɜːrʃəl//

Origin: Hebrew; Yiddish

Meaning: Hebrew: 'deer'; Yiddish: 'little hero'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Herschel has its roots in the Yiddish language, derived from the Hebrew name "Hersh," which means "deer." The transition from Hebrew to Yiddish reflects the linguistic evolution within Jewish communities in Europe, particularly in the context of the Ashkenazi diaspora. The name was later adopted into German as "Herschel," where it maintained its original meaning.

The name made its way into English through German-speaking immigrants and the influence of notable figures bearing the name. One of the most significant historical milestones associated with the name Herschel is the astronomer William Herschel, who was born in 1738 in Germany and later moved to England.

He is renowned for his discovery of the planet Uranus in 1781, which expanded the known boundaries of the solar system at the time. His contributions to astronomy, including the discovery of infrared radiation and numerous double stars, solidified the name Herschel in scientific history.

Additionally, the name has been borne by various other notable figures, including Herschel Grynszpan, a Jewish refugee whose actions in 1938 became a catalyst for the events leading up to the Holocaust. Culturally, the name Herschel has been associated with themes of wisdom and exploration, particularly due to its connection with William Herschel's groundbreaking work in astronomy.

The name also carries a certain traditional resonance within Jewish culture, often reflecting familial ties and heritage. In some contexts, diminutive forms such as "Hersh" or "Hershey" have emerged, though these are less formal and more colloquial.

Overall, the name Herschel encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic, historical, and cultural significance, marking its place in both Jewish and broader Western narratives.

Famous people named Herschel

In this section, you will find notable people named Herschel. 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 Herschel who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Herschel 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.

Herschel Walker is a former professional American football player best known for his time with the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and Philadelphia Eagles.

Fictional characters named Herschel

The following list of fictional characters named Herschel 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.

Herschel Beers is a fictional character from the animated television series The Simpsons. He is a minor character who is known for being a friend of the main characters and occasionally appearing in various episodes.

Sibling suggestions

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

IsaacSamuelLeviMosesDavidJacob

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Herschel. 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.

HarlanHarveyHectorHarrisHershelHugoHarrison

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Herschel has ranked as high as #765 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Indiana, Texas, Illinois, Georgia, and Missouri.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Herschel 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 Herschel 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 Herschel.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 34 34
2024 20 20
2023 28 28
2022 23 23
2021 38 38
2020 38 38
2019 33 33
2018 24 24
2017 22 22
2016 28 28
2015 27 27
2014 15 15
2013 16 16
2012 20 20
2011 9 9
2010 10 10
2009 14 14
2008 12 12
2007 11 11
2006 26 26
2005 8 8
2004 11 11
2003 17 17
2002 9 9
2001 17 17
2000 19 19
1999 26 26
1998 20 20
1997 19 19
1996 16 16
1995 24 24
1994 19 19
1993 28 28
1992 33 33
1991 30 30
1990 47 47
1989 40 40
1988 47 47
1987 40 40
1986 46 46
1985 28 28
1984 31 31
1983 56 56
1982 54 54
1981 30 30
1980 30 30
1979 28 28
1978 26 26
1977 30 30
1976 35 35
1975 33 33
1974 35 35
1973 32 32
1972 56 56
1971 54 54
1970 47 47
1969 58 58
1968 45 45
1967 52 52
1966 45 45
1965 53 53
1964 55 55
1963 64 64
1962 81 81
1961 72 72
1960 66 66
1959 81 81
1958 95 95
1957 98 98
1956 87 87
1955 118 118
1954 91 91
1953 106 106
1952 99 99
1951 121 121
1950 116 116
1949 125 125
1948 134 134
1947 137 137
1946 137 137
1945 119 119
1944 142 142
1943 103 103
1942 131 131
1941 135 135
1940 133 133
1939 140 140
1938 153 153
1937 132 132
1936 128 128
1935 148 148
1934 133 133
1933 141 141
1932 154 154
1931 176 176
1930 171 171
1929 178 178
1928 211 211
1927 204 204
1926 208 208
1925 208 208
1924 246 246
1923 240 240
1922 242 242
1921 277 277
1920 244 244
1919 234 234
1918 257 257
1917 230 230
1916 231 231
1915 226 226
1914 155 155
1913 137 137
1912 136 136
1911 48 48
1910 47 47
1909 39 39
1908 32 32
1907 40 40
1906 32 32
1905 44 44
1904 25 25
1903 39 39
1902 33 33
1901 38 38
1900 37 37
1899 27 27
1898 38 38
1897 32 32
1896 29 29
1895 23 23
1894 24 24
1893 28 28
1892 23 23
1891 19 19
1890 19 19
1889 19 19
1888 26 26
1887 18 18
1886 19 19
1885 10 10
1884 21 21
1883 9 9
1882 9 9
1881 8 8
1880 11 11

Top States for Herschel (2021)

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 5
100%