Given name & surname
Herschel
“resembling a deer”
Herschel is a variant of Hershel. One Hebrew interpretation is “resembling a deer.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Herschel is a variant of Hershel. One Hebrew interpretation is “resembling a deer.”
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Herschel through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 10,674
- 10,674 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 1921
- 277 babies
- 2025
- 34
- #3,399 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −1%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 34 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 3,399 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 1.4% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 277 in 1921. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (6). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 3,728 as a first name in 2020; 223 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Herschel’s family of names
Herschel has a related form in Hershel. In English usage, Herschel has a conventional equivalent in the Polish form Herszel. In German usage, Herschel as a surname has a related form in Hirsch.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Herschel has relatives in 3 languages.
4 related names in 3 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 1
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Herschel
- Herschel GrynszpanPolish Jewish resistance fighter1921–1944
- Herschel BernardiAmerican actor (1923–1986)
- Herschel EvansAmerican musician (1909–1939)
- Dr DisrespectAmerican live streamer (born 1982)
- Herschel WalkerAmerican diplomat and former football player (born 1962)
- Herschel V. JohnsonAmerican and Confederate politician (1812-1880)
- Hershel W. WilliamsU.S. Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient (1923–2022)
- Herschel DaughertyAmerican television and film director, actor (1910–1993)
- Herschel MayallAmerican actor (1863-1941)
Characters named Herschel: Krusty the Clown (The Simpsons franchise).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Herschel, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
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