Hershel

Boy Name #2,764 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A beloved Yiddish name meaning deer — swift, graceful, enduring

Jewish Ashkenazi Jewish American

Vintage Traditional Literary Earthy

Meaning & Origin

"deer, little deer"

Origin: Yiddish (from German Hirsch)

Language: Yiddish

"swift, graceful (by association with deer)"

Origin: Hebrew (via Naphtali)

Language: Hebrew

The Story of Hershel

Hershel is a Yiddish diminutive of Hirsch (or Hirsh), meaning deer in Yiddish, itself derived from the German 'Hirsch.' In Jewish naming tradition, the Hebrew name Naphtali (one of the twelve tribes of Israel) was translated to Hirsch because Naphtali is compared to a swift deer in the Bible (Genesis 49:21). Hershel thus carries both Yiddish warmth and ancient Biblical resonance.

Hershel was common among Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants to the United States in the early 20th century. The name gained a modern pop culture bump through Hershel Greene, the beloved farmer in The Walking Dead TV series.

In Ashkenazi Jewish tradition, the deer symbolizes grace, swiftness, and beauty. The name Hershel connects bearers to Eastern European Jewish heritage and carries the warmth of shtetl culture.

Fun Facts

Hershel derives from the same root as the Hershey chocolate brand (founder Milton Hershey's grandfather was named Hershey)
Hershel Greene in The Walking Dead helped revive interest in this vintage Jewish name
The Biblical tribe Naphtali was given the Hebrew word for deer, which became Hirsch in Yiddish communities

Hershel in Other Languages

German Hirsch

Hebrew צבי (Tzvi)

English Herschel

Yiddish הערשעל

Famous People Named Hershel

Herschel Walker

Athlete

1962

Heisman Trophy-winning American football player and 1982 Heisman winner at the University of Georgia

Hershel Greene Fictional

Other

Beloved fictional farmer and moral compass character in The Walking Dead TV series, played by Scott Wilson

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,764
Total SSA Count: 47
Cultural Origins: Jewish Ashkenazi Jewish American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Hershy #2147 Hersh #2880

Common Nicknames

Hersh Hesh

Pairs Well With

Hershel Morris Hershel Bernard Hershel Lee Hershel David Hershel Aaron

Sibling Names

Morris Bernard Rivka Esther Pearl

Also a Girl Name

Hershel is also used as a girl name, ranked #70367.

View Hershel as a girl name →

Similar Names

Mitchell Maxwell Marshal Woodrow Marcell Kendal

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hershel

What does the name Hershel mean?

"deer, little deer" (from Yiddish (from German Hirsch)). "swift, graceful (by association with deer)" (from Hebrew (via Naphtali)). Hershel is a Yiddish diminutive of Hirsch (or Hirsh), meaning deer in Yiddish, itself derived from the German 'Hirsch.' In Jewish naming tradition, the Hebrew name Naphtali (one of the twelve tribes of Israel) was translated to Hirsch because Naphtali is compared to a swift deer in the Bible (Genesis 49:21). Hershel thus carries both Yiddish warmth and ancient Biblical resonance.

What is the origin of the name Hershel?

Hershel has Yiddish (from German Hirsch), Hebrew (via Naphtali), Jewish, Ashkenazi Jewish, and American origins. In Yiddish (from German Hirsch), it means "deer, little deer". In Hebrew (via Naphtali), it means "swift, graceful (by association with deer)".

Is Hershel a boy or girl name?

Hershel is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2764. As a girl name, it is ranked #70367. Hershel is more commonly used as a boy name.

How popular is the name Hershel?

Hershel is currently ranked #2764 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Hershel?

Common nicknames for Hershel include Hersh and Hesh.

What are good middle names for Hershel?

Popular middle name pairings include Hershel Morris, Hershel Bernard, Hershel Lee, Hershel David, and Hershel Aaron.

What are good sibling names for Hershel?

Names that pair well with Hershel as siblings include Morris, Bernard, Rivka, Esther, and Pearl.

How many syllables does Hershel have?

Hershel has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Hershel a common or rare name?

Hershel is an uncommon name, ranked #2764 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Hershel

Hershel is a boy name with Jewish, Ashkenazi Jewish, and American origins . The name means "deer, little deer" in Yiddish (from German Hirsch) .

Is Hershel a boy or girl name? Hershel is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,764 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,367. Hershel is more commonly used as a boy name.

Hershel is currently ranked #2,764 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Hershel has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Hershel include Hersh and Hesh. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Hershel include Hershy, Hersh . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.