Holding steady.
Popularity of Hershal since 1913
Babies named Hershal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 109 |
| 1920s | 170 |
| 1930s | 125 |
| 1940s | 92 |
| 1950s | 68 |
| 1960s | 30 |
| 1970s | 18 |
| 1980s | 15 |
| 1990s | 14 |
| 2000s | 6 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Hershal is a rare given name in the United States, first recorded in 1913. It saw its peak usage in 1918, during a time when many Germanic and Yiddish names were common among immigrant families. Despite this early peak, the name has remained consistently infrequent, with no significant resurgence in recent decades. It has never ranked in the top 1000, and its one-in-n ratio is immeasurable due to low frequency. The name likely derives from the Germanic word for 'deer', and its variants Herschel and Hershel have seen more sustained use. Hershal's trajectory has been stable, with a very small number of annual births, primarily in the early 20th century.
Hershal is likely a variant spelling of Herschel or Hershel, both derived from the Germanic element 'hirsch' meaning 'deer'. The name has been used among Ashkenazi Jewish communities as a diminutive of Hirschel. It entered U.S. records in the early 20th century, peaking in usage in 1918.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Herb, Harry
Sibling names for Hershal
Names that share Hershal's style, for a brother or sister.
