Find out how popular the first name Herb has been for the last 19 years (from 1975 to 1993) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Herb by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Herb is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1993, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Herb.

The history of the first name Herb

The name Herb is derived from the Old German word "heri" or "heer," which means "army" or "host." It is believed to have originated in the 5th or 6th century AD among the Germanic tribes that inhabited central and northern Europe.

In its earliest form, Herb was likely a shortened version of longer Germanic names such as Herbert or Heribert, which combined "heri" with the word "berht," meaning "bright" or "shining." These compound names were common in the early Middle Ages and reflected the warrior culture of the time.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Herb comes from the 8th century, when it appears in the Carolingian chronicles, referring to Herb, a Frankish count and military leader under Charlemagne. Herb played a significant role in the Carolingian Empire's expansion and consolidation of power across what is now modern-day France and Germany.

In the 11th century, the name Herb gained prominence with Saint Heribert, the Archbishop of Cologne from 999 to 1021. Renowned for his piety and leadership, Saint Heribert was a influential figure in the Holy Roman Empire and played a key role in the canonization process of Emperor Henry II.

Other notable individuals named Herb throughout history include:

1. Herb Jeffries (1913-2014), an American jazz singer, actor, and songwriter known as the "Bronze Buckaroo."
2. Herb Alpert (born 1935), an American musician and recording artist, best known for his work with the Tijuana Brass and as a co-founder of A&M Records.
3. Herb Brooks (1937-2003), an American ice hockey player and coach, who led the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team to a gold medal victory over the Soviet Union in the "Miracle on Ice."
4. Herb Kelleher (1931-2019), an American businessman and the co-founder and former CEO of Southwest Airlines, known for his innovative leadership and corporate culture.
5. Herb Ritts (1952-2002), an American fashion photographer renowned for his iconic black-and-white portraits and editorial work.

While the name Herb has its roots in the Germanic languages, it has since been adopted and used across various cultures and regions, particularly in the English-speaking world. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its simple yet distinctive sound, as well as its historical associations with strength, leadership, and cultural significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Herb was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Herb, please contact us.

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