"army man, soldier"
Origin: Germanic
Language: German
Herman
Pronunciation: [ h-ERM-uhn ]
Does Herman flow with your last name?
An ancient warrior name with deep Germanic roots
German
Dutch
Scandinavian
English
Classic
Strong
Vintage
Traditional
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Meaning & Origin
"warrior"
Origin: Old High German
Language: German
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The Story of Herman
Herman derives from the Old Germanic elements "heri" (army) and "man" (man), literally meaning "army man" or "soldier." The name was common among Germanic tribes in the early Middle Ages and was borne by Hermann of Cherusci, the Germanic chieftain who defeated three Roman legions in the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD.
Herman peaked in popularity in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, driven by waves of German and Dutch immigration. It declined steadily after World War II due to anti-German sentiment.
In Germany, Hermann is considered a national hero name due to the chieftain who stopped Roman expansion. The name carried strong patriotic connotations in Germanic cultures for centuries.
Historical Record
Herman first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 34,145 babies have been named Herman in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Herman is past its peak , currently ranked #2,654 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Hermann of Cherusci, who bore this name, is considered a German national hero
- Herman Melville, author of Moby-Dick, popularized the name in American literature
Herman in Other Languages
Dutch
Herman
French
Hermand
German
Hermann
Italian
Ermanno
Spanish
Hernán
Popularity Over Time
#2,654
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Herman
H
Herman Cain
Politician
1945
American businessman and Republican presidential candidate in 2012
H
Herman Melville
Writer
1819
American novelist and author of Moby-Dick, one of the great American novels
H
Herman Munster Fictional
Other
The lovable Frankenstein-inspired patriarch in the 1960s sitcom The Munsters
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,654
- Total SSA Count
- 50
- Cultural Origins
- German Dutch Scandinavian English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Herm
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Herman
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Herman is also used as a girl name, ranked #38928.
View Herman as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Herman
What does the name Herman mean?
"army man, soldier" (from Germanic). "warrior" (from Old High German). Herman derives from the Old Germanic elements "heri" (army) and "man" (man), literally meaning "army man" or "soldier." The name was common among Germanic tribes in the early Middle Ages and was borne by Hermann of Cherusci, the Germanic chieftain who defeated three Roman legions in the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD.
What is the origin of the name Herman?
Herman has Germanic, Old High German, German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and English origins. In Germanic, it means "army man, soldier". In Old High German, it means "warrior".
Is Herman a boy or girl name?
Herman is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2654. As a girl name, it is ranked #38928. Herman is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Herman?
Herman is pronounced h-ERM-uhn.
How popular is the name Herman?
Herman is currently ranked #2654 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Herman?
Common nicknames for Herman include Herm.
What are good middle names for Herman?
Popular middle name pairings include Herman James, Herman Lee, Herman Paul, Herman Wayne, Herman Allen, and Herman Dale.
What are good sibling names for Herman?
Names that pair well with Herman as siblings include Walter, Bernard, Dorothy, Mildred, Eugene, and Edna.
How many syllables does Herman have?
Herman has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Herman a common or rare name?
Herman is an uncommon name, ranked #2654 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Herman?
Are there other spellings for Herman?
Related spellings include Hermes.
About the Name Herman
Herman is a boy name with German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and English origins . The name means "army man, soldier" in Germanic .
Is Herman a boy or girl name? Herman is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,654 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #38,928. Herman is more commonly used as a boy name.
Herman is currently ranked #2,654 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Herman has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-ERM-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Herman include Herm. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Herman include Hermes . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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