MallowbyNames

Hyman

HY-muhn · Life, or one who lives, from the Hebrew word chayyim.

Peak popularity
1911
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Hyman since 1880

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

1262533791880192019602000Most births 1916Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1880s19
1890s106
1900s357
1910s2,778
1920s1,671
1930s331
1940s188
1950s212
1960s100
1970s59
1980s19
1990s6
2000s5
2010s7
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Hyman is a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'life,' directly derived from Chayyim. It reached its peak popularity in 1911, when it ranked among the top 500 names for boys. Since then, its usage has steadily declined, and it has not appeared in the top 1000 in recent decades. The name has remained stable in its trajectory, with no significant revival. While once a common choice within Jewish families, Hyman is now rare, reflecting broader trends in naming preferences. Its sound and structure may appeal to those seeking a vintage or historically rich name.

Hyman is an anglicized form of the Hebrew name Chayyim, meaning 'life.' It has been used as a given name among Jewish communities, often as a variant of Hyman or Haim. The name saw peak popularity in the early 20th century, especially in the United States.

Where Hyman is most popular

Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k boystoo few births

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Hy

Variants: Chaim, Haim, Hayim

Sibling names for Hyman

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

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

H is for Hyman, our favorite little boy.

H is for Hyman…”

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

Make Hyman's book

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

Questions parents ask

What does the name Hyman mean?
Hyman means 'life' in Hebrew, derived from the word chayyim.
How popular is Hyman today?
Hyman is not currently in the top 1000. Its peak year was 1911, and it has since declined in use.
Is Hyman a boy or girl name?
Hyman is traditionally a masculine name.