Hercules
From Latin Herculēs, from Etruscan 𐌇𐌄𐌓𐌂𐌋𐌄 (hercle), from Ancient Greek Ἡρακλῆς (Hēraklês), apparently cognate of Ἥρα (Hḗra, “Hera”) and, according to Haudry, from…
Every Hercules since 1908 — 1,320 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Hercules
Hercules is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #4,921 in 2025 with 20 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1908, 1,320 American babies have been named Hercules. Its peak came in 2023, when 30 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Hercules stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Hercules year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20 | #4,921 |
| 2024 | 13 | #6,602 |
| 2023 | 30 | #3,749 |
| 2022 | 22 | #4,610 |
| 2021 | 21 | #4,685 |
| 2020 | 12 | #6,767 |
| 2019 | 10 | #7,848 |
| 2018 | 25 | #4,135 |
| 2017 | 12 | #6,847 |
| 2016 | 19 | #5,008 |
| 2015 | 17 | #5,372 |
| 2014 | 15 | #5,830 |
| 2013 | 6 | #11,237 |
| 2012 | 6 | #11,302 |
| 2011 | 5 | #13,013 |
| 2010 | 5 | #12,961 |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | 7 | #9,949 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 6 | #10,040 |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | 7 | #8,526 |
| 1995 | 8 | #6,610 |
| 1990 | 5 | #8,622 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | 7 | #5,156 |
| 1975 | 10 | #3,520 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | 7 | #3,376 |
| 1960 | 19 | #1,877 |
| 1955 | 18 | #1,872 |
| 1950 | 20 | #1,674 |
| 1945 | 10 | #2,314 |
| 1940 | 16 | #1,761 |
| 1935 | 14 | #1,977 |
| 1930 | 17 | #1,855 |
| 1925 | 20 | #1,765 |
| 1920 | 24 | #1,564 |
| 1915 | 15 | #1,915 |
| 1910 | 5 | #1,699 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Hercules
- Hercules Seghers Painter · 1589–1638
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hercules mean?
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,…
How popular is the name Hercules in 2025?
Hercules ranked #4,921 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 20 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Hercules?
1,320 babies have been named Hercules in the United States since 1908, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Hercules most popular?
Hercules peaked in 2023, when 30 newborns received the name.
Is Hercules a boy or girl name?
Hercules is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Hercules rising or falling?
Hercules is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Hercules?
Well-known people named Hercules include Hercules Seghers (painter).