Hershell Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Hershell is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'deer.' It evolved from the Yiddish 'Hersh' and the Hebrew 'Hirsch.' The name is associated with grace and gentleness, reflecting cultural heritage among Jewish communities. It does not have a biblical background, but it gained popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries. Common variants include Hirsch and Hershie. Today, it is seen as a traditional name with a warm connotation, often linked to Jewish identity, and notable people with this name include Hershel Shanks and Hershel Walker.
The name Hershell is most popular in Kentucky, 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, Hershell has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Hershell' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1261st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1144th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1587th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3219th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8705th out of 16616 names. Discover how the name 'Hershell' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Hershell"
Pronunciation
/ˈhɜːrʃəl/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Hershell is derived from the Yiddish name 'Hersh,' which is a diminutive of the Hebrew name 'Hirsch,' meaning 'deer.' In Jewish tradition, deer are often associated with grace and gentleness.
Meaning
deer
Language Evolution
Hirsch, Hersh, Hershell
Historical Usage
Hershell gained popularity among Jewish communities in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in Eastern Europe and later in America, as a common name reflecting cultural heritage.
Variants & Derivatives
Hirsch, Hersh, Hershie
Modern Popularity & Image
Hershell is viewed as a traditional name with a warm, familial connotation, often associated with Jewish identity and culture.
Famous People
Hershel Shanks, an American author and editor known for his work in biblical archaeology., Hershel Walker, a former professional American football player and politician.
Explore More Hershell Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Hershell"
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 "Hershell"
"Hershell" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1261st of 7545 | 521 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1144th of 6773 | 647 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1587th of 7552 | 465 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3219th of 10718 | 162 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 8705th of 16616 | 47 |
Regional Popularity of "Hershell" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
39.69% 939th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
38.21% 899th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
63.27% 1409th/2227 |
- |
47.04% 1342nd/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Hershell" 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 "Hershell"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Hershell" 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.