Hershell: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	–	#1,118
1900s	28	3	+460%	#871
1910s	185	19	+561%	#1,143
1920s	380	38	+105%	#1,041
1930s	365	37	-4%	#954
1940s	330	33	-10%	#1,027
1950s	265	27	-20%	#1,328
1960s	142	14	-46%	#1,640
1970s	94	9	-34%	#2,317
1980s	48	5	-49%	#4,279
1990s	5	1	-90%	#9,354
2000s	–	–	–	–
2010s	–	–	–	–
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

#1,118

1900s

+460%

#871

1910s

185

+561%

#1,143

1920s

380

+105%

#1,041

1930s

365

-4%

#954

1940s

330

-10%

#1,027

1950s

265

-20%

#1,328

1960s

142

-46%

#1,640

1970s

-34%

#2,317

1980s

-49%

#4,279

1990s

-90%

#9,354

2000s

–

2010s

–

2020s (to 2025)

–

The story of Hershell

Hershell 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 1899, 1,847 American babies have been named Hershell. Its peak came in 1920, when 45 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 Hershell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Hershell?

The median living Hershell is about 70 years old; half are between 59 and 79. An estimated 700 people named Hershell 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.

Hershell 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	6	#5,809
1975	6	#5,048
1970	8	#3,637
1965	8	#3,088
1960	25	#1,640
1955	25	#1,555
1950	25	#1,482
1945	28	#1,255
1940	38	#1,055
1935	41	#1,000
1930	28	#1,375
1925	41	#1,097
1920	45	#1,041
1915	18	#1,687
1910	5	#1,700
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Hershell?

The median living Hershell is about 70 years old. Half of all living Hershells are between 59 and 79 years old.

How many people named Hershell are alive today?

An estimated 700 people named Hershell are alive in the United States, based on 1,847 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Hershell mean?

Spelling variant of Hershel.

How popular is the name Hershell in 2025?

Hershell 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 Hershell?

1,847 babies have been named Hershell in the United States since 1899, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Hershell most popular?

Hershell peaked in 1920, when 45 newborns received the name.

Is Hershell a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Hershell rising or falling?

Hershell has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Hershell

Hershell popularity over time

The story of Hershell

How old are people named Hershell?

Hershell year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Hershell