Given name & surname
Hershel
“resembling a deer”
Hershel is used as a given name and a surname. One Hebrew interpretation is “resembling a deer.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
One Hebrew interpretation is “resembling a deer.”
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Hebrew.
How it developed
In Jewish use, Hershel is used as an affectionate form of Hirsh.
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
Hershel through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 10,334
- 10,329 boys · 5 girls
- Most popular year
- 1924
- 226 babies
- 2025
- 48
- #2,692 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +25%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 48 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 2,692 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 24.6% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 226 in 1924. In 2025, New York had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (30). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 3,772 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Hershel’s family of names
Hershel is an affectionate form of Hirsh. Hershel has a related form in Herschel. Hershel has a related form in Hersh.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 29
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
- Hershyvariant
- Hershvariant
- Herschelvariant · English
- Hirshvariant
- Hersheyvariant
- Hirschvariant
- Herschellvariant
- Herschvariant
Show 21 moreShow fewer
See also 1
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Hershel
- Hershel W. WilliamsU.S. Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient (1923–2022)
- Hershel ShanksAmerican archaeologist (1930–2021)
- Hershel GoberRecipient of the Purple Heart medal (1936–2024)
Characters named Hershel: Hershel Greene (fictional character), Professor Hershel Layton (the Professor Layton series).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Hershel, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Oran
“surrounded by light” · “a pale-skinned man”
>99% boys
Hyman
“a giver of life”
>99% boys
Herman
“a soldier”
>99% boys
Howell
“a distinguished or eminent man”
>99% boys
Herbert
“an illustrious warrior”
>99% boys
Edsel
“one who is plain” · “one who is noble and bright”
>99% boys
Hubert
“having a shining intellect”
>99% boys
Haskell
“an intelligent man”
>99% boys