Hershel
Boy name · #2676 in 2025 · Very rare
How old is the name Hershel? In official American birth records, Hershel has been tracked continuously since 1880, giving it 145 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 48 baby boys were named Hershel, placing it at #2676 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #2528, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 37,500 boys born in 2025 was named Hershel.
The 145-year story
Hershel first appears in the Social Security records in 1880, when 5 boys received the name. Its peak came in 1924, when 226 boys were named Hershel — good for #407 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.
Babies named Hershel per year. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Hershel against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Hershel in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Hershel is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "very rare". A high score means genuine rarity — your Hershel will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Hershel is most common
State-level data for Hershel 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 Hershel
Statistically, parents drawn to Hershel tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Herschel, Lemuel, Hardy, Basil, and Hosea.
HerschelLemuelHardyBasilHoseaRusselHarlandClement
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Hershel | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 48 | #2676 |
| 2024 | 49 | #2674 |
| 2023 | 52 | #2541 |
| 2022 | 47 | #2753 |
| 2021 | 32 | #3497 |
| 2020 | 38 | #3025 |
| 2019 | 31 | #3571 |
| 2018 | 36 | #3171 |
| 2017 | 38 | #3071 |
| 2016 | 40 | #2935 |
| 2015 | 49 | #2528 |
| 2014 | 41 | #2847 |
| 2013 | 39 | #2895 |
| 2012 | 35 | #3179 |
| 2011 | 47 | #2590 |
| 2010 | 30 | #3531 |
| 2009 | 30 | #3551 |
| 2008 | 44 | #2753 |
| 2007 | 42 | #2811 |
| 2006 | 35 | #3083 |
| 2005 | 52 | #2265 |
| 2004 | 40 | #2643 |
| 2003 | 33 | #2922 |
| 2002 | 30 | #3022 |
| 2001 | 23 | #3617 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Hershel?
In official American birth records, the name Hershel first appeared in 1880 (over 145 years ago), when 5 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Hershel a popular boy name?
Hershel ranked #2676 among boys in 2025 with 48 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #2528.
When was the name Hershel most popular?
Hershel peaked in 1924, when 226 American boys received the name (ranked #407 that year). Since 1924 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Hershel?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 37,500 newborn American boys was named Hershel. 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.