Herschel
Herschel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Deer.
Origin and history
Herschel is a male given name of Yiddish origin, derived from the word for 'deer'. It was historically prominent among Ashkenazi Jewish communities in Eastern Europe before becoming established in North America. Though less common today than in the early 20th century, it remains a recognized traditional name.
Popularity in the United States
10,674 babies in the United States have been named Herschel since 1880. It ranks #1155 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1746.
States where it is most popular
- IN (12 %)
- TX (11.4 %)
- IL (11.2 %)
- GA (11 %)
- MO (8.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 150 |
| 1890-1900 | 262 |
| 1900-1910 | 359 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,701 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,258 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,476 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,296 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,012 |
| 1960-1970 | 591 |
| 1970-1980 | 376 |
| 1980-1990 | 402 |
| 1990-2000 | 262 |
| 2000-2010 | 144 |
| 2010-2019 | 204 |
| 2020-2029 | 181 |
Famous people named Herschel
- Herschel Walker: Football player, Athlete
- Herschel Savage: Actor, Director
Nicknames
Hersh
Fun facts
- The name is closely associated with astronomer William Herschel, who discovered Uranus, though used here as a given name.
- It developed as a diminutive form of the Yiddish name Hirsch, meaning deer.