Holding steady.
Popularity of Hernandez since 1956
Babies named Hernandez per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 7 |
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 39 |
| 1980s | 48 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Hernandez is a patronymic surname turned given name, first recorded as a baby name in the United States in 1956. It saw its peak usage in 1984, ranking 520th among newborn boys that year, with 210 births recorded. Since then, its use has remained stable but low, dropping off the top 1000 list after the 1990s. As a first name, it reflects the broader trend of using family names as given names, particularly those with strong ethnic resonance. The name has not been concentrated in any particular state, indicating its spread across the country without regional dominance. Despite its modest popularity, Hernandez carries a distinct cultural heritage tied to Spanish naming traditions.
Hernandez is a patronymic surname of Spanish origin, meaning 'son of Hernando.' Hernando itself derives from the Germanic name Ferdinand, composed of elements meaning 'journey' or 'venture' and 'bold' or 'daring.' The surname spread widely across the Spanish-speaking world and, like many patronymics, eventually found occasional use as a given name in the United States, particularly from the mid-20th century onward.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Hernández, Fernandez
Sibling names for Hernandez
Names that share Hernandez's style, for a brother or sister.
