Herschel
Boy name · #3384 in 2025 · Very rare
How old is the name Herschel? In official American birth records, Herschel has been tracked continuously since 1880, giving it 145 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 34 baby boys were named Herschel, placing it at #3384 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #3882, so the name has been rising over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 52,941 boys born in 2025 was named Herschel.
Babies named Herschel per year. Source: Official national birth records.
The 145-year story
Herschel first appears in the Social Security records in 1880, when 11 boys received the name. Its peak came in 1921, when 277 boys were named Herschel — good for #361 that year. Today's parents encounter it as a name from their grandparents’ generation, which is precisely the vintage window from which names get revived. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Herschel against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Herschel in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Herschel is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "very rare". A high score means genuine rarity — your Herschel will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Herschel is most common
State-level data for Herschel is too sparse in 2025 to rank by rate — in most states its count falls below the SSA's per-state reporting threshold (counts under 5 are withheld).
Names like Herschel
Statistically, parents drawn to Herschel tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Hershel, Russel, Lemuel, Hubert, and Wilfred.
HershelRusselLemuelHubertWilfredGaetanoHermanCyril
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Herschel | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 34 | #3379 |
| 2024 | 20 | #4890 |
| 2023 | 28 | #3883 |
| 2022 | 23 | #4442 |
| 2021 | 38 | #3121 |
| 2020 | 38 | #3025 |
| 2019 | 33 | #3426 |
| 2018 | 24 | #4226 |
| 2017 | 22 | #4466 |
| 2016 | 28 | #3776 |
| 2015 | 27 | #3882 |
| 2014 | 15 | #5733 |
| 2013 | 16 | #5404 |
| 2012 | 20 | #4686 |
| 2011 | 9 | #8079 |
| 2010 | 10 | #7591 |
| 2009 | 14 | #6095 |
| 2008 | 12 | #6763 |
| 2007 | 11 | #7094 |
| 2006 | 26 | #3782 |
| 2005 | 8 | #8299 |
| 2004 | 11 | #6520 |
| 2003 | 17 | #4616 |
| 2002 | 9 | #7055 |
| 2001 | 17 | #4476 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Herschel?
In official American birth records, the name Herschel first appeared in 1880 (over 145 years ago), when 11 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Herschel a popular boy name?
Herschel ranked #3384 among boys in 2025 with 34 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #3882.
When was the name Herschel most popular?
Herschel peaked in 1921, when 277 American boys received the name (ranked #361 that year). Since 1921 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Herschel?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 52,941 newborn American boys was named Herschel. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "very rare".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.