Herschell Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HER-shel //ˈhɜːrʃəl//
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: 'spear'; English: 'dweller by the hare's hill'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Herschell has its roots in the Hebrew name "Herschel," which is derived from the Yiddish word "hersh," meaning "deer." This name was later adopted into German as "Herschel," and it is often associated with the surname "Herschel," which has been borne by notable figures such as the astronomer William Herschel in the 18th century. The transition of the name into English occurred through the migration of Jewish communities and the influence of German-speaking populations, particularly during the 19th century, when many Yiddish names entered the English-speaking world.
Historically, the name Herschell has been linked to various significant figures, particularly in the realms of science and culture. William Herschel, who discovered the planet Uranus in 1781, is perhaps the most prominent bearer of the name, contributing to its recognition in the English-speaking world.
The name has also appeared in various literary and artistic contexts, reflecting the cultural contributions of individuals with this name throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Additionally, the name has been associated with Jewish heritage, often reflecting a connection to tradition and community.
Culturally, the name Herschell carries connotations of strength and grace, akin to the qualities attributed to the deer in its original meaning. This symbolism has allowed the name to endure across generations, often evoking a sense of nobility and connection to nature.
Diminutive forms such as "Hersh" have also emerged, particularly within Jewish communities, further embedding the name in cultural practices and familial traditions. Overall, Herschell encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance.
Famous people named Herschell
In this section, you will find notable people named Herschell. 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 Herschell who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Herschell 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.
Herschell Gordon Lewis is a filmmaker best known for Blood Feast, Two Thousand Maniacs!, and The Gore Gore Girls.
Herschell Walker is a former professional football player best known for his career with the New Jersey Generals and the Dallas Cowboys.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Herschell, 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 Herschell. 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 Herschell was first seen in the United States in 1897.
Herschell has ranked as high as #2578 nationally, which occurred in 1924, and has been most popular in Indiana, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama.
In the past 5 years the name Herschell has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Herschell 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 Herschell 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 Herschell.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 5 | 5 |
| 1991 | 6 | 6 |
| 1988 | 6 | 6 |
| 1986 | 5 | 5 |
| 1985 | 8 | 8 |
| 1983 | 5 | 5 |
| 1981 | 5 | 5 |
| 1980 | 7 | 7 |
| 1978 | 5 | 5 |
| 1975 | 9 | 9 |
| 1971 | 5 | 5 |
| 1970 | 5 | 5 |
| 1969 | 9 | 9 |
| 1968 | 5 | 5 |
| 1967 | 10 | 10 |
| 1966 | 9 | 9 |
| 1965 | 11 | 11 |
| 1964 | 16 | 16 |
| 1963 | 9 | 9 |
| 1962 | 6 | 6 |
| 1961 | 12 | 12 |
| 1960 | 13 | 13 |
| 1959 | 6 | 6 |
| 1958 | 8 | 8 |
| 1957 | 7 | 7 |
| 1956 | 18 | 18 |
| 1955 | 9 | 9 |
| 1954 | 7 | 7 |
| 1953 | 14 | 14 |
| 1952 | 9 | 9 |
| 1951 | 9 | 9 |
| 1950 | 10 | 10 |
| 1949 | 12 | 12 |
| 1948 | 16 | 16 |
| 1947 | 16 | 16 |
| 1946 | 10 | 10 |
| 1945 | 11 | 11 |
| 1944 | 12 | 12 |
| 1943 | 19 | 19 |
| 1942 | 16 | 16 |
| 1941 | 14 | 14 |
| 1940 | 24 | 24 |
| 1939 | 18 | 18 |
| 1938 | 20 | 20 |
| 1937 | 13 | 13 |
| 1936 | 14 | 14 |
| 1935 | 25 | 25 |
| 1934 | 19 | 19 |
| 1933 | 15 | 15 |
| 1932 | 24 | 24 |
| 1931 | 17 | 17 |
| 1930 | 21 | 21 |
| 1929 | 24 | 24 |
| 1928 | 18 | 18 |
| 1927 | 25 | 25 |
| 1926 | 30 | 30 |
| 1925 | 29 | 29 |
| 1924 | 33 | 33 |
| 1923 | 30 | 30 |
| 1922 | 32 | 32 |
| 1921 | 25 | 25 |
| 1920 | 21 | 21 |
| 1919 | 31 | 31 |
| 1918 | 22 | 22 |
| 1917 | 18 | 18 |
| 1916 | 24 | 24 |
| 1915 | 29 | 29 |
| 1914 | 17 | 17 |
| 1913 | 9 | 9 |
| 1912 | 9 | 9 |
| 1911 | 8 | 8 |
| 1910 | 6 | 6 |
| 1901 | 5 | 5 |
| 1900 | 5 | 5 |
| 1897 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Herschell (1940)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 5 |