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    The first name Hercules

    A boy’s name from Greek meaning “hera”, “year”, “season”.

    Pronounced /ˈhɝːkjəliːz/ 3 syllables Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Greek origin

    Hercules means “hera”, “year”, “season” in Greek.

    From Latin Herculēs, from Etruscan 𐌇𐌄𐌓𐌂𐌋𐌄 (hercle), from Ancient Greek Ἡρακλῆς (Hēraklês), apparently cognate of Ἥρα (Hḗra, “Hera”) and, according to Haudry, from Proto-Indo-European *yóh₁r̥ (“year, season”) + κλέος (kléos, “glory”). Doublet of Heracles.

    More names that mean famous.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    Hercules last appeared in the official list in 2023, given to 3 boys. It peaked in 2015, with 3 births (#4,747).

    0510 1996200020052010201520202025
    9
    babies named Hercules, 1996–2025
    #4,991
    rank in 2023
    2015
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Hercules with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Hercules at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 20 boys born in the United States were named Hercules, the 4,921st most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2023, when 30 were.

    01530 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    1,320
    babies named Hercules since 1880
    #4,921
    rank in 2025
    2023
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Nicknames for Hercules

    • Herc

    Famous people named Hercules

    5 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Hercules Seghers
      Dutch painter and engraver (c.1589-c.1638)
    • Hércules de Miranda
      Brazilian footballer (1912–1982)
    • Hercules Robinson, 1st Baron Rosmead
      5th Governor of Hong Kong (1824-1897)
    • Elton John
      British singer, songwriter and musician (born 1947)
    • Brito
      Brazilian footballer (1939-2026)

    More Greek boys’ names

    All 347 names of Greek origin

    Questions

    What does the name Hercules mean?
    Hercules means “hera”, “year”, “season” in Greek.
    What is the origin of the name Hercules?
    From Latin Herculēs, from Etruscan 𐌇𐌄𐌓𐌂𐌋𐌄 (hercle), from Ancient Greek Ἡρακλῆς (Hēraklês), apparently cognate of Ἥρα (Hḗra, “Hera”) and, according to Haudry, from Proto-Indo-European *yóh₁r̥ (“year, season”) + κλέος (kléos, “glory”). Doublet of Heracles.
    How popular is the name Hercules?
    In 2023, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Hercules, ranking 4,991st. Its peak was 2015, with 3 births.
    What are nicknames for Hercules?
    Common nicknames for Hercules include Herc.
    Is Hercules a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 1,320 US babies named Hercules since 1880 were boys.
    When was Hercules most popular?
    2023 in the United States, when 30 babies were named Hercules, its highest rank at 3,749th.
    How do you pronounce Hercules?
    Hercules is /ˈhɝːkjəliːz/, 3 syllables.
    Is Hercules also a surname?
    Yes. Hercules is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.