Herschel
Every Herschel since 1880 — 10,674 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Herschel
Herschel is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,399 in 2025 with 34 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 10,674 American babies have been named Herschel. Its peak came in 1921, when 277 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
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 Herschel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Herschel year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 34 | #3,399 |
| 2024 | 20 | #4,946 |
| 2023 | 28 | #3,931 |
| 2022 | 23 | #4,480 |
| 2021 | 38 | #3,143 |
| 2020 | 38 | #3,041 |
| 2019 | 33 | #3,446 |
| 2018 | 24 | #4,279 |
| 2017 | 22 | #4,520 |
| 2016 | 28 | #3,816 |
| 2015 | 27 | #3,921 |
| 2014 | 15 | #5,831 |
| 2013 | 16 | #5,488 |
| 2012 | 20 | #4,764 |
| 2011 | 9 | #8,314 |
| 2010 | 10 | #7,788 |
| 2009 | 14 | #6,223 |
| 2008 | 12 | #6,904 |
| 2007 | 11 | #7,281 |
| 2006 | 26 | #3,827 |
| 2005 | 8 | #8,578 |
| 2004 | 11 | #6,703 |
| 2003 | 17 | #4,681 |
| 2002 | 9 | #7,257 |
| 2001 | 17 | #4,565 |
| 2000 | 19 | #4,112 |
| 1995 | 24 | #2,958 |
| 1990 | 47 | #1,712 |
| 1985 | 28 | #2,038 |
| 1980 | 30 | #1,878 |
| 1975 | 33 | #1,570 |
| 1970 | 47 | #1,211 |
| 1965 | 53 | #1,013 |
| 1960 | 66 | #933 |
| 1955 | 118 | #673 |
| 1950 | 116 | #645 |
| 1945 | 119 | #550 |
| 1940 | 133 | #503 |
| 1935 | 148 | #467 |
| 1930 | 171 | #456 |
| 1925 | 208 | #415 |
| 1920 | 244 | #382 |
| 1915 | 226 | #356 |
| 1910 | 47 | #377 |
| 1905 | 44 | #304 |
| 1900 | 37 | #363 |
| 1895 | 23 | #402 |
| 1890 | 19 | #419 |
| 1885 | 10 | #620 |
| 1880 | 11 | #587 |
Famous people named Herschel
- Herschel Grynszpan Politician · 1921–1942
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Herschel in 2025?
Herschel ranked #3,399 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 34 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Herschel?
10,674 babies have been named Herschel in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Herschel most popular?
Herschel peaked in 1921, when 277 newborns received the name.
Is Herschel a boy or girl name?
Herschel is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Herschel rising or falling?
Herschel is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Herschel?
Well-known people named Herschel include Herschel Grynszpan (politician).