Holding steady.
Popularity of Hervey since 1880
Babies named Hervey per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Hervey's real moment was 1894.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 29 |
| 1890s | 29 |
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 170 |
| 1920s | 228 |
| 1930s | 159 |
| 1940s | 149 |
| 1950s | 91 |
| 1960s | 63 |
| 1970s | 39 |
| 1980s | 53 |
| 1990s | 46 |
| 2000s | 47 |
| 2010s | 17 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Hervey is a rare name that saw its peak popularity in 1894, the year it was most commonly recorded. Its trajectory has been stable but low, and it has not ranked in recent decades. The name provides a vintage alternative to the more familiar Harvey. Its origins are uncertain but likely linked to the Breton name that gave rise to Harvey. Historically, Hervey never ranked among the top 1000 names and is not recorded for 2025, showing its minimal modern usage.
Hervey is primarily a variant of Harvey, a surname derived from the Breton personal name Aeruiu or Haerviu, meaning 'battle worthy' or 'worthy of battle.' However, Hervey itself may derive from a French place name, Hervé, from which Harvey also evolved. The name was most popular in the United States in the late 19th century, peaking in 1894, but has since fallen out of common use.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Herv
Sibling names for Hervey
Names that share Hervey's style, for a brother or sister.
