"glory of Hera"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Hercules
Pronunciation: [ h-ERKY-uhl-eez ]
Does Hercules flow with your last name?
The most famous hero of Western mythology
Greek
Roman
English
Italian
Bold
Strong
Royal
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Hercules
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Meaning & Origin
"glorious gift"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the mythological hero — may feel like a heavy name to live up to
The Story of Hercules
Hercules is the Latin form of the Greek Heracles, meaning glory of Hera — from the goddess Hera and kleos (glory, fame). The name is deeply paradoxical: Hercules was named in honor of the goddess who was his greatest tormentor. Hera, jealous of Zeus's affair with Alcmene, drove Hercules to madness and set the stage for his famous Twelve Labors. The name thus encodes both divine favor and divine trial.
Hercules has never been a common everyday name, remaining instead an aspirational or artistic choice. It sees occasional use in Greek and Italian communities and among parents drawn to classical mythology. The Disney animated film Hercules (1997) brought renewed familiarity with the name without making it mainstream.
Hercules is arguably the most famous hero in Western mythology. His Twelve Labors defined the concept of heroic endurance, and his name became synonymous with extraordinary strength. In Renaissance art, he was a symbol of virtue over vice. Today his name is used in everything from comic books to sports teams.
Historical Record
Hercules first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 693 babies have been named Hercules in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Hercules is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #6,603 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Hercules performed his Twelve Labors to atone for killing his own family during a fit of madness induced by Hera
- The word herculean (meaning requiring enormous strength) comes directly from this name
- The constellation Hercules is one of the largest in the northern sky and one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy in the 2nd century
Hercules in Other Languages
Greek
Herakles
Latin
Hercules
French
Hercule
Italian
Ercole
Spanish
Hercules
Popularity Over Time
#6,603
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Hercules
H
Hercules (Greek mythology) Fictional
Other
The greatest hero of Greek mythology, son of Zeus and Alcmene, known for his extraordinary strength and the Twelve Labor...
The greatest hero of Greek mythology, son of Zeus and Alcmene, known for his extraordinary strength and the Twelve Labors
H
Hercule Poirot Fictional
Other
Agatha Christie's fastidious Belgian detective, one of the most famous fictional detectives in literary history
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Compare Hercules with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #6,603
- Total SSA Count
- 13
- Cultural Origins
- Greek Roman English Italian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Herc
Herk
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Hercules
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Greek)
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High Valyrian (fictional) origin
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Latin origin
"from Avellino, place of hazel trees"
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"western field"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hercules
What does the name Hercules mean?
"glory of Hera" (from Greek). "glorious gift" (from Latin). Hercules is the Latin form of the Greek Heracles, meaning glory of Hera — from the goddess Hera and kleos (glory, fame). The name is deeply paradoxical: Hercules was named in honor of the goddess who was his greatest tormentor. Hera, jealous of Zeus's affair with Alcmene, drove Hercules to madness and set the stage for his famous Twelve Labors. The name thus encodes both divine favor and divine trial.
What is the origin of the name Hercules?
Hercules has Greek, Latin, Roman, English, and Italian origins. In Greek, it means "glory of Hera". In Latin, it means "glorious gift".
Is Hercules a boy or girl name?
Hercules is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Hercules?
Hercules is pronounced h-ERKY-uhl-eez.
How popular is the name Hercules?
Hercules is currently ranked #6603 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Hercules?
Common nicknames for Hercules include Herc and Herk.
What are good middle names for Hercules?
Popular middle name pairings include Hercules James, Hercules Thomas, Hercules Stone, Hercules Magnus, Hercules Victor, and Hercules Rex.
What are good sibling names for Hercules?
Names that pair well with Hercules as siblings include Achilles, Leonidas, Perseus, Thalia, Athena, and Orion.
How many syllables does Hercules have?
Hercules has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Hercules a common or rare name?
Hercules is an uncommon name, ranked #6603 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Hercules
Hercules is a boy name with Greek, Roman, English, and Italian origins . The name means "glory of Hera" in Greek .
Hercules is currently ranked #6,603 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Hercules has 3 syllables and is pronounced h-ERKY-uhl-eez, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Hercules include Herc and Herk. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis