Find out how popular the first name Hermann has been for the last 43 years (from 1974 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Hermann by gender

Based on the last 43 years of data, Hermann is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Hermann.

The history of the first name Hermann

The given name Hermann has its origins in the Germanic language family, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Old High German words "heri" meaning army and "man" meaning man, thus translating to "army man" or "warrior."

The name was particularly prevalent among Germanic tribes, such as the Franks, Saxons, and Goths, who inhabited regions of modern-day Germany, France, and the Low Countries. Its earliest recorded use can be traced back to the 9th century, appearing in various historical documents and records from the Carolingian era.

One of the earliest and most notable historical figures bearing this name was Hermann the German (also known as Arminius), a chieftain of the Cherusci tribe. In 9 AD, he led a coalition of Germanic tribes to a decisive victory over the Roman legions in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, marking a significant defeat for the Roman Empire's expansion into Germanic territories.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Hermann was widespread across the Holy Roman Empire and remained popular among the German nobility. One notable bearer was Hermann von Salza, the fourth Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, who played a crucial role in the Northern Crusades and the consolidation of the Order's power in Prussia during the 13th century.

In the Renaissance period, the name gained further prominence with figures like Hermann of Wied, the Prince-Archbishop of Cologne (1477-1552), who initially supported the Reformation but later returned to Catholicism. Another notable figure was Hermann Boerhaave (1668-1738), a Dutch botanist, humanist, and an influential pioneer of the modern academic hospital.

During the 19th century, the name remained popular in German-speaking regions, with individuals like Hermann von Helmholtz (1821-1894), a renowned German physicist and philosopher, making significant contributions to various fields of science and philosophy.

Other notable bearers of the name include Hermann Hesse (1877-1962), a German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter, who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1946; Hermann Göring (1893-1946), a prominent political and military leader in Nazi Germany; and Hermann Rorschach (1884-1922), a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, best known for developing the famous Rorschach inkblot test.

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 Hermann was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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