Hershel
Hershel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Deer or stag.
Origin and history
Hershel is a traditional Yiddish name derived from the Hebrew word for deer. It has been used steadily in the United States, particularly within Jewish communities, though its usage has become less frequent in recent decades.
Popularity in the United States
10,329 babies in the United States have been named Hershel since 1880. It ranks #1177 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1661.
States where it is most popular
- KY (13.2 %)
- NY (13 %)
- TX (9.5 %)
- AR (9.4 %)
- TN (9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 47 |
| 1890-1900 | 73 |
| 1900-1910 | 202 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,128 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,032 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,756 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,440 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,006 |
| 1960-1970 | 652 |
| 1970-1980 | 411 |
| 1980-1990 | 306 |
| 1990-2000 | 263 |
| 2000-2010 | 361 |
| 2010-2019 | 386 |
| 2020-2029 | 266 |
Famous people named Hershel
- Hershel W. Williams: Military officer, Medal of Honor recipient
- Hershel Bernardi: Actor, Singer
Nicknames
Hersh, Hershy
Fun facts
- In Jewish tradition, the deer is associated with the biblical figure Naphtali, described as a swift deer in Genesis.
- The name was widely introduced to modern children's culture through Eric Kimmel's award-winning book 'Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins'.