"bright army, famous warrior"
Origin: Germanic
Language: Old German
Herbert
Pronunciation: [ h-ERB-ert ]
Does Herbert flow with your last name?
A Germanic classic meaning 'bright warrior,' rare and distinguished today
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Meaning & Origin
"heri (army) + beraht (bright)"
Origin: Old High German
Language: German
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The Story of Herbert
Herbert is a Germanic name composed of two elements: 'heri' (army, warrior) and 'beraht' (bright, famous). Together, the name means 'bright army' or 'famous warrior.' The name was brought to England by the Normans after the 1066 conquest and was borne by several medieval bishops and nobles. It enjoyed its greatest English-speaking popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Herbert was a top-20 name in the United States from the 1880s through the 1920s, buoyed by the presidency of Herbert Hoover (1929–1933). After declining sharply through the mid-20th century, it now sits in the rare category of 'grandpa names' that have not yet experienced a nostalgic revival — making it genuinely unusual for children today.
The name Herbert has been borne by a remarkable range of distinguished figures — from President Herbert Hoover to philosopher Herbert Marcuse to scientist Herbert Simon. In German-speaking countries, the name carries a long tradition of intellectual and civic achievement.
Historical Record
Herbert first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 54,417 babies have been named Herbert in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Herbert is past its peak , currently ranked #2,474 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Herbert Hoover is the only president born west of the Mississippi River to serve before World War II
- Herbert is one of the few classic names from the top-20 list of the 1900s that has not yet experienced a 21st-century revival
- The philosophical term 'Herbertian' refers to the educational theories of Johann Friedrich Herbart, one of the founders of modern pedagogy
Herbert in Other Languages
Dutch
Herbert
Latin
Herbertus
French
Herbert
German
Herbert
Italian
Erberto
Spanish
Heriberto
Popularity Over Time
#2,474
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Herbert
H
Herbert von Karajan
Musician
1908
Austrian conductor who led the Berlin Philharmonic for 35 years; considered one of the greatest conductors of the 20th c...
Austrian conductor who led the Berlin Philharmonic for 35 years; considered one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century
H
Herbert Hoover
Politician
1874
31st President of the United States (1929–1933), mining engineer and humanitarian who organized food relief for Europe a...
31st President of the United States (1929–1933), mining engineer and humanitarian who organized food relief for Europe after World War I
H
Herbert George Wells
Writer
1866
British author known as 'the father of science fiction,' who wrote The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, and The Invi...
British author known as 'the father of science fiction,' who wrote The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, and The Invisible Man
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,474
- Total SSA Count
- 55
- Cultural Origins
- English German French American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Herb
Herbie
Bert
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Herbert
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Herbert is also used as a girl name, ranked #70925.
View Herbert as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Herbert
What does the name Herbert mean?
"bright army, famous warrior" (from Germanic). "heri (army) + beraht (bright)" (from Old High German). Herbert is a Germanic name composed of two elements: 'heri' (army, warrior) and 'beraht' (bright, famous). Together, the name means 'bright army' or 'famous warrior.' The name was brought to England by the Normans after the 1066 conquest and was borne by several medieval bishops and nobles. It enjoyed its greatest English-speaking popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
What is the origin of the name Herbert?
Herbert has Germanic, Old High German, English, German, French, and American origins. In Germanic, it means "bright army, famous warrior". In Old High German, it means "heri (army) + beraht (bright)".
Is Herbert a boy or girl name?
Herbert is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2474. As a girl name, it is ranked #70925. Herbert is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Herbert?
Herbert is pronounced h-ERB-ert.
How popular is the name Herbert?
Herbert is currently ranked #2474 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Herbert?
Common nicknames for Herbert include Herb, Herbie, and Bert.
What are good middle names for Herbert?
Popular middle name pairings include Herbert James, Herbert George, Herbert William, Herbert Charles, Herbert Edward, Herbert Arthur, and Herbert John.
What are good sibling names for Herbert?
Names that pair well with Herbert as siblings include Walter, Harold, Clarence, Dorothy, Edith, Mildred, and Ernest.
How many syllables does Herbert have?
Herbert has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Herbert a common or rare name?
Herbert is an uncommon name, ranked #2474 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Herbert
Herbert is a boy name with English, German, French, and American origins . The name means "bright army, famous warrior" in Germanic .
Is Herbert a boy or girl name? Herbert is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,474 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,925. Herbert is more commonly used as a boy name.
Herbert is currently ranked #2,474 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Herbert has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-ERB-ert, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Herbert include Herb, Herbie, and Bert. 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