Herschell
Every Herschell since 1897 — 1,059 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Herschell
Herschell is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1897, 1,059 American babies have been named Herschell. Its peak came in 1924, when 33 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Herschell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Herschell year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | 8 | #4,863 |
| 1980 | 7 | #5,157 |
| 1975 | 9 | #3,764 |
| 1970 | 5 | #5,020 |
| 1965 | 11 | #2,532 |
| 1960 | 13 | #2,365 |
| 1955 | 9 | #2,860 |
| 1950 | 10 | #2,498 |
| 1945 | 11 | #2,183 |
| 1940 | 24 | #1,381 |
| 1935 | 25 | #1,376 |
| 1930 | 21 | #1,619 |
| 1925 | 29 | #1,375 |
| 1920 | 21 | #1,722 |
| 1915 | 29 | #1,228 |
| 1910 | 6 | #1,495 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | 5 | #1,403 |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Herschell
- Herschell Gordon Lewis Film director · 1926–2016
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Herschell in 2025?
Herschell did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Herschell?
1,059 babies have been named Herschell in the United States since 1897, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Herschell most popular?
Herschell peaked in 1924, when 33 newborns received the name.
Is Herschell a boy or girl name?
Herschell is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Herschell rising or falling?
Herschell has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Herschell?
Well-known people named Herschell include Herschell Gordon Lewis (film director).