Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1918

Herchel

Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Herchel
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1918
19 babies
All-time total
454
#8,355 all-time among boys
First recorded
1907
in Social Security records

Herchel popularity over time

454 babies have been named Herchel since 1907, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras
0.010.020.030.0418801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1907Boys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade Boys Per year Change Best rank
1880s – – – –
1890s – – – –
1900s 5 1 – #1,430
1910s 79 8 +1480% #1,788
1920s 116 12 +47% #2,063
1930s 94 9 -19% #1,969
1940s 76 8 -19% #1,944
1950s 41 4 -46% #2,869
1960s 24 2 -41% #3,417
1970s 6 1 -75% #4,736
1980s 8 1 +33% #5,144
1990s 5 1 -38% #8,694
2000s – – – –
2010s – – – –
2020s (to 2025) – – – –

The story of Herchel

Herchel is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1907, 454 American babies have been named Herchel. Its peak came in 1918, when 19 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1910s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Herchel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Herchel?

The median living Herchel is about 73 years old; half are between 63 and 82. An estimated 100 people named Herchel are alive in the United States today.

median 73 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Herchel year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 – –
2024 – –
2023 – –
2022 – –
2021 – –
2020 – –
2019 – –
2018 – –
2017 – –
2016 – –
2015 – –
2014 – –
2013 – –
2012 – –
2011 – –
2010 – –
2009 – –
2008 – –
2007 – –
2006 – –
2005 – –
2004 – –
2003 – –
2002 – –
2001 – –
2000 – –
1995 – –
1990 – –
1985 – –
1980 – –
1975 – –
1970 – –
1965 – –
1960 6 #3,819
1955 8 #3,070
1950 7 #3,162
1945 – –
1940 8 #2,754
1935 5 #3,891
1930 9 #2,873
1925 14 #2,247
1920 14 #2,272
1915 11 #2,371
1910 – –
1905 – –
1900 – –
1895 – –
1890 – –
1885 – –
1880 – –

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Herchel, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Herchel?

The median living Herchel is about 73 years old. Half of all living Herchels are between 63 and 82 years old.

How many people named Herchel are alive today?

An estimated 100 people named Herchel are alive in the United States, based on 454 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Herchel in 2025?

Herchel did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Herchel?

454 babies have been named Herchel in the United States since 1907, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Herchel most popular?

Herchel peaked in 1918, when 19 newborns received the name.

Is Herchel a boy or girl name?

Herchel is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Herchel rising or falling?

Herchel has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Herchel

Names that sound and feel close to Herchel: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Herchel with similar names → More names starting with H →