- First names from A to Z
- ›
- Boy Names
- ›
- Herschel
Herschel
Fact sheet
- Name
- Herschel
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 2
Herschel is a Yiddish boy's name that has its origins in the names Hershel and Hirsh.
What does the name Herschel mean?
The name Herschel comes from Yiddish and can be literally translated as "the deer" or "the swift as a deer is". Its roots lie in the German word 'Hirsch', which refers both to the animal itself and to the meaning 'swift as a deer'. Alternative spellings include Hirsch and Hirshel.
Where does the name Herschel come from?
The origin of the name Herschel is German and literally means "the deer". The word is composed of the German term 'Hirsch' and the description 'swift as a deer'. It is common in Hebrew and Yiddish languages.
How do you pronounce Herschel?
Herschel is pronounced approximately as 'Her-schel'.
Popularity
In Germany, Herschel is a rather unusual first name. So far, it has not made it onto the German name popularity lists. Its best ranking in the USA was in 1931, when it reached 428th place in the name charts. In the last ten years, the name has been given about 290 times in the USA, which earned it 2,081st place in the ten-year statistics. From 1930 to 2024, it ranks 1,210 in the USA.
Famous people
- Hershel Layton (Professor of Archaeology, character from 'Professor Layton')
Frequently asked questions about the name Herschel
Where does the name Herschel come from?
The name Herschel has German roots and is common in Yiddish and Hebrew.
What does the name Herschel mean?
Herschel literally means 'the deer' and is also translated as 'swift as a deer'.
How popular is the name Herschel?
Herschel has moderate popularity and is often associated with traditional Jewish names.