Herschell: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Herschell

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1924

33 babies

All-time total

1,059

#4,945 all-time among boys

First recorded

1897

in Social Security records

Herschell popularity over time

1,059 babies have been named Herschell since 1897, 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

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	5	1	–	#1,136
1900s	10	1	+100%	#1,126
1910s	173	17	+1630%	#1,228
1920s	267	27	+54%	#1,277
1930s	186	19	-30%	#1,376
1940s	150	15	-19%	#1,381
1950s	97	10	-35%	#1,909
1960s	100	10	+3%	#2,068
1970s	24	2	-76%	#3,764
1980s	36	4	+50%	#4,863
1990s	11	1	-69%	#7,628
2000s	–	–	–	–
2010s	–	–	–	–
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

The story of Herschell

Herschell 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 1897, 1,059 American babies have been named Herschell. Its peak came in 1924, when 33 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 Herschell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Herschell?

The median living Herschell is about 68 years old; half are between 58 and 79. An estimated 300 people named Herschell are alive in the United States today.

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

Herschell 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	8	#4,863
1980	7	#5,157
1975	9	#3,764
1970	5	#5,020
1965	11	#2,532
1960	13	#2,365
1955	9	#2,860
1950	10	#2,498
1945	11	#2,183
1940	24	#1,381
1935	25	#1,376
1930	21	#1,619
1925	29	#1,375
1920	21	#1,722
1915	29	#1,228
1910	6	#1,495
1905	–	–
1900	5	#1,403
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Herschell

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Herschell Gordon Lewis American filmmaker (1926–2016) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Herschell?

The median living Herschell is about 68 years old. Half of all living Herschells are between 58 and 79 years old.

How many people named Herschell are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Herschell are alive in the United States, based on 1,059 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Herschell mean?

Herschel, Herschell, Herschelle or Hershel is a given name and a surname of German origin.

How popular is the name Herschell in 2025?

Herschell 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 Herschell?

1,059 babies have been named Herschell in the United States since 1897, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Herschell most popular?

Herschell peaked in 1924, when 33 newborns received the name.

Is Herschell a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Herschell rising or falling?

Herschell has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Herschell?

Well-known people named Herschell include Herschell Gordon Lewis (film director).

Names like Herschell

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

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