Boy · 39th of 7,545
Herbert
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
229,328
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1928
Peak Popularity Year
8,113
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Herbert stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Herbert has its roots in the Germanic language, meaning 'bright army'. It evolved from forms such as Heribert and Herbertus. The name is associated with traits of strength and brightness. It has no biblical significance but gained popularity in medieval Europe and remains a classic name today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈhɜːrbərt/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
The name Herbert is derived from the Germanic elements 'heri' meaning 'army' and 'berht' meaning 'bright' or 'famous'.
Meaning
bright army
Language Evolution
Heribert, Herbertus, Herbert
Historical Usage
The name Herbert became popular in medieval Europe, particularly in England, during the Norman Conquest, and has remained in use since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Herbie, Bert, Bertie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Herbert is seen as a traditional name, often associated with older generations, but retains a classic charm.
Famous People
Herbert Hoover, Herbert Spencer, Herbert Marshall, Herbert Grönemeyer
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 8,113 peak births in 1928
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 4 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 39th of 7545 | 80,651 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 57th of 6773 | 71,198 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 140th of 7552 | 43,520 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 252nd of 10718 | 13,571 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 500th of 16616 | 5,765 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1238th of 24088 | 2,025 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2113th of 23106 | 813 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1795th of 9107 | 380 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1738th of 9204 | 398 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3597th of 12526 | 213 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 7085th of 19264 | 96 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 19175th of 27321 | 20 |