Herschel

Herschel is a boy's name of German origin. Its meaning is not recorded in the standard references we check — we would rather tell you that plainly than guess. In 2024 it was given to 20 boys in the United States.

Herschel at a glance

Gender
Boy name
Origin
German
Meaning
Not recorded in standard references
Pronunciation
/ˈhɜːʃəl/

About the name Herschel

Herschel belongs to the German tradition. Its roots are documented, even though its precise meaning is not recorded in the standard references — an honest gap we prefer to a confident guess.

In the United States, Herschel first appears in Social Security records in 1880. It climbed to its best-ever rank of #281 in 1901, and in 2024 20 babies received the name — 10,640 in total since 1880. Those are the official counts, not estimates.

Herschel in US records

First recorded (US)
1880
Best US rank
#281 in 1901
Peak year
1921
Babies named Herschel in 2024
20
Total since 1880
10,640

Similar names

More names from the German shelf:

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Herschel mean?

The meaning of Herschel is not recorded in the standard references we check. Rather than repeat an unsourced claim, we leave it open — its German origin is documented, but its exact meaning is not.

Is Herschel a boy or girl name?

Herschel is a boy name. In 2024, 20 babies received the name in the US.

What origin is the name Herschel?

Herschel comes from the German tradition.

How popular is the name Herschel?

Herschel first appears in US records in 1880. Its best-ever ranking was #281 in 1901, and 20 babies were given the name in 2024.

How do you pronounce Herschel?

Herschel is pronounced /ˈhɜːʃəl/ (IPA).

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Meaning and origin for this page were checked against this source. US popularity figures are from the Social Security Administration's public baby-names data. If you spot an error, write to [email protected] — accuracy is the whole point of this site, and corrections are made fast.