Holding steady.
Popularity of Hurshell since 1915
Babies named Hurshell per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 34 |
| 1920s | 32 |
| 1930s | 40 |
| 1940s | 25 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Hurshell is an American given name that first appeared in 1915, with usage concentrated in the 1910s. It reached its peak in 1918, then declined sharply. By 2025, it is still recorded but rare, with no consistent ranking. The name's trajectory is stable at a very low level, and it has no strong geographic ties. Its etymology is uncertain, possibly a variant of Herschel (Yiddish for 'deer') or an invented spelling. Hurshell fits a pattern of inventive early 20th-century American names.
Hurshell likely emerged as an American given name in the early 20th century, possibly as a variant of Herschel or Hershel, which derive from the Yiddish word for 'deer' (hersh). However, the spelling 'Hurshell' is distinctive and may have been a deliberate variation. Its usage was concentrated in the 1910s and peaked in 1918, after which it declined sharply and became rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hersh, Shell
Sibling names for Hurshell
Names that share Hurshell's style, for a brother or sister.
