Herman Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Herman is a name of Germanic origin meaning 'warrior' or 'soldier'. It evolved linguistically from Hermannus in Latin to Hermann in Old High German, and finally to Herman in Middle English. It is associated with traits of strength and valor, with no biblical relevance. The name rose to prominence during the Middle Ages and has notable variants. While its modern usage is less frequent, it carries a classic appeal.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Herman"
Pronunciation
/ˈhɜːrmən/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
The name Herman is derived from the Germanic elements 'heri' meaning 'army' and 'man' meaning 'man'. Thus, it can be interpreted as 'warrior' or 'soldier'.
Meaning
warrior, soldier
Language Evolution
Hermanus (Latinized form), Hermann (Old High German), Herman (Middle English)
Historical Usage
The name Herman gained popularity in the Middle Ages, especially in German-speaking regions, and has been borne by several saints and historical figures.
Variants & Derivatives
Hermann, Herm, Hermie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Herman is less common but is often associated with traditional and classic values, sometimes evoking a sense of nostalgia.
Famous People
Herman Melville, an American novelist known for 'Moby-Dick', Hermann Hesse, a German-Swiss poet and novelist, Herman Munster, a fictional character from 'The Munsters' television show
📊 Herman Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Herman Name Visualizations
✨ Herman Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,239 peak births in 1921
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Louisiana
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Herman" - Complete Guide (2 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Herman". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 2 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Herman" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Herman"
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 of "Herman"
"Herman" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 62nd of 7545 | 50,913 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 107th of 6773 | 35,550 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 196th of 7552 | 25,485 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 343rd of 10718 | 8,670 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 600th of 16616 | 4,253 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1340th of 24088 | 1,792 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2176th of 23106 | 780 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2128th of 9107 | 292 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2381st of 9204 | 240 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4373rd of 12526 | 153 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 7326th of 19264 | 90 |
Regional Popularity of "Herman" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
5.08% 72nd/1416 |
5.22% 72nd/1379 |
1.69% 40th/2366 |
9.19% 105th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
8.73% 135th/1546 |
7.33% 114th/1556 |
2.97% 70th/2353 |
10.34% 160th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
10.69% 238th/2227 |
9.42% 229th/2430 |
4.87% 139th/2853 |
9.51% 264th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
13.31% 391st/2937 |
9.82% 342nd/3483 |
7.62% 268th/3518 |
9.92% 401st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
19.40% 715th/3685 |
13.83% 619th/4475 |
10.20% 530th/5194 |
9.21% 582nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
39.52% 1811th/4582 |
23.53% 1215th/5164 |
18.10% 1324th/7313 |
17.16% 1281st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
69.30% 2761st/3984 |
37.31% 1674th/4487 |
31.16% 2126th/6822 |
31.02% 1947th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Herman" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
100.00% 2366th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
100.00% 2353rd/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
100.00% 2853rd/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Herman"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Herman" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Herman" in the United States
The name Herman is most popular in Louisiana, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Herman has been stalled for male in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Herman' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 62nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 107th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 196th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 343rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 600th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1340th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2176th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2128th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2381st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4373rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7326th out of 19264 names. Discover how the name 'Herman' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.