The first name Herschel

In 2025, 34 boys born in the United States were named Herschel, the 3,399th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1921, when 277 were.

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.

• Herschel Savage
  American pornographic film actor & director (1952–2023)
• Herschel Bernardi
  American actor (1923–1986)
• Herschel Walker
  American diplomat and former football player (born 1962)
• Herschel Evans
  American musician (1909–1939)
• Herschel V. Johnson
  American and Confederate politician (1812-1880)
• Herschel Mayall
  American actor (1863-1941)
• Herschel Daugherty
  American television and film director, actor (1910–1993)
• Walter Herschel Beech
  American pioneer aviator; co-founder of Beech Aircraft Company (1891-1950)
• Herschel Burke Gilbert
  American composer (1918-2003)
• Herschel C. Loveless
  American politician (1911-1989)
• John Glenn
  American astronaut and politician (1921–2016)
• Michael Greger
  American physician, author, and health activist, born 1972

What does the name Herschel mean?

(Uranus): after its discoverer, William Herschel.

Is Herschel a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 10,674 US babies named Herschel since 1880 were boys.

When was Herschel most popular?

1921 in the United States, when 277 babies were named Herschel, its highest rank at 361st.

How do you pronounce Herschel?

Herschel is /ˈhɝʃəl/, 2 syllables.