Herman

Pronunciation: [ h-ERM-uhn ]

Boy Name #2,654 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

An ancient warrior name with deep Germanic roots

German Dutch Scandinavian English

Classic Strong Vintage Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"army man, soldier"

Origin: Germanic

Language: German

"warrior"

Origin: Old High German

Language: German

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.

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

Famous People Named Herman

Herman Cain

Politician

1945

American businessman and Republican presidential candidate in 2012

Herman Melville

Writer

1819

American novelist and author of Moby-Dick, one of the great American novels

Herman Munster Fictional

Other

The lovable Frankenstein-inspired patriarch in the 1960s sitcom The Munsters

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

Hermes #3980

Common Nicknames

Herm

Pairs Well With

Herman James Herman Lee Herman Paul Herman Wayne Herman Allen Herman Dale

Sibling Names

Walter Bernard Dorothy Mildred Eugene Edna

Also a Girl Name

Herman is also used as a girl name, ranked #38928.

View Herman as a girl name →

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Playground Safety

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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.

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.