Hercules Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Hercules has Latin origins, derived from the Greek 'Herakles,' meaning 'glory of Hera.' It has evolved through history from Ancient Greek to Latin. The name is associated with traits of strength and heroism, primarily due to the mythological figure. There is no biblical relevance associated with this name. Hercules gained popularity in ancient times and continues to be recognized in modern culture.
The name Hercules is most popular in South Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Hercules has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Hercules' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2054th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1813th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1990th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3927th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6617th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 11921st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5445th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Hercules' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Hercules"
Pronunciation
/ˈhɜːrkjuliz/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Hercules is derived from the Latin 'Hercules,' which in turn comes from the Greek 'Herakles.' The name is believed to be composed of the elements 'Hera,' the Greek goddess, and 'kleos,' meaning glory.
Meaning
Glory of Hera
Language Evolution
Herakles (Ancient Greek), Hercules (Latin)
Historical Usage
The name Hercules gained popularity in ancient times due to the legendary hero of Greek mythology known for his immense strength and heroic feats. It became widely recognized during the Roman Empire and has remained in use throughout history.
Variants & Derivatives
Herakles, Hercule, Herculean
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Hercules is often associated with strength, heroism, and endurance, largely due to his depiction in popular culture, including films, books, and other media.
Famous People
Hercules Poirot (fictional detective created by Agatha Christie), Hercules G. Smith (American politician)
Explore More Hercules Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Hercules"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Hercules"
"Hercules" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2054th of 7545 | 246 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1813th of 6773 | 290 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1990th of 7552 | 306 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3927th of 10718 | 111 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6617th of 16616 | 87 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 11921st of 24088 | 58 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5445th of 23106 | 202 |
Regional Popularity of "Hercules" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
64.75% 1532nd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
47.05% 1107th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
60.91% 1480th/2430 |
43.74% 1248th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
79.99% 3187th/3984 |
- |
74.46% 5080th/6822 |
54.99% 3451st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Hercules" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Hercules"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Hercules" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.