Find out how popular the first name Hernan has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Hernan by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Hernan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 71 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Hernan.

The history of the first name Hernan

The name Hernan originates from the Spanish language and has its roots in the Germanic name Hermann. The name is derived from the elements "heri" meaning army and "man" meaning man, thus translating to "army man" or "warrior".

The name's earliest known use can be traced back to the Middle Ages in the Iberian Peninsula, where it was a popular choice among the Spanish nobility and aristocracy. One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Hernán Cortés, the famous Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire in the 16th century.

In the 12th century, the name appeared in the epic poem "El Cantar de Mio Cid", which recounts the life and adventures of the Castilian knight El Cid. The name was also mentioned in various Spanish literary works and historical records throughout the medieval period.

During the Age of Exploration and the colonization of the Americas, the name Hernan was carried across the Atlantic by Spanish settlers and conquistadors. One notable figure was Hernán Ponce de León, a Spanish explorer who accompanied Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New World and later became the first governor of Puerto Rico.

Another significant bearer of the name was Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro, better known as Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador who led the conquest of the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico in the early 16th century. His expedition and eventual defeat of the Aztecs marked a pivotal moment in the Spanish colonization of the Americas.

In the 19th century, Hernán Cortés Delgado, a Mexican military officer and politician, played a prominent role in the Mexican War of Independence against Spanish rule. He later served as the President of Mexico from 1824 to 1828.

Throughout history, the name Hernan has been associated with bravery, conquest, and military prowess, reflecting its Germanic roots and the exploits of its most famous bearers.

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

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

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