MallowbyNames

Erhard

AIR-hahrt · Strong or honorable resolve.

Peak popularity
1915
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Erhard since 1914

Babies named Erhard per year in U.S. Social Security records.

51015192019602000Most births 1917Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1910s57
1920s27
1930s26
1940s0
1950s0
1960s0
1970s0
1980s0
1990s0
2000s0
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Erhard is a traditional German name that peaked in the United States in 1915, around World War I. Its first recorded use in U.S. data was in 1914, and its trajectory has been stable but very low, with no recent resurgence. The name never entered the top 1,000 nationwide and has no recorded births in most recent years. While it retains a strong, honorable meaning rooted in Old High German, its rarity makes it an uncommon choice for modern parents. The name is closely tied to German heritage and may appeal to families looking for a distinctive name with historical depth. However, its lack of popularity also means it may be unfamiliar outside German-speaking communities.

Erhard derives from Old High German elements 'ēra' (honor, respect) and 'hart' (hard, strong, brave). It was a common medieval given name in German-speaking regions, borne by several saints, including Saint Erhard of Regensburg, a 7th-century bishop. The name saw a revival in the 19th and early 20th centuries but has since declined in use.

Nicknames & variants

Variants: Erhardt, Erhardus

Sibling names for Erhard

Names that share Erhard's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

E is for Erhard, our favorite little boy.

E is for Erhard…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Erhard's letter becomes Erhard's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Erhard's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Erhard mean?
Erhard means 'strong honor' or 'honorable resolve,' from Old High German 'ēra' (honor) and 'hart' (strong).
Is Erhard a common name today?
No, Erhard is quite rare in the United States. According to Social Security data for the latest year available (2025), it did not rank among the top 1,000 names, and its 1-in-N ratio was null, indicating fewer than five births.
Is Erhard a boy's name or a girl's name?
Erhard is traditionally a masculine name, used almost exclusively for boys.