Find out how popular the first name Herve has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Herve by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Herve is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Herve.

The history of the first name Herve

The name Herve is of French origin, derived from the Germanic name Heribert, which is composed of the elements "heri" meaning army and "beraht" meaning bright or illustrious. It was popular during the Middle Ages in France and other parts of Europe.

The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to the 7th century, with Saint Herve (c. 650-706), a Breton abbot and founder of the Abbey of Noblac in central France. He was known for his ascetic lifestyle and missionary work among the local population.

Another notable bearer of the name was Herve IV, Count of Nevers (c. 1055-1098), a French nobleman who participated in the First Crusade and was present at the siege of Antioch in 1098. He was known for his bravery and military prowess.

In the 12th century, Herve d'Avranches (c. 1115-1189) was a renowned French theologian and philosopher who taught at the University of Paris and was known for his commentaries on the works of Aristotle.

The name also appeared in literary works, such as the 13th-century French chanson de geste "Huon de Bordeaux," where one of the characters is named Herve.

Another notable figure was Herve de Donjon (c. 1280-1349), a French architect and engineer who was responsible for the construction of several fortifications and castles in Normandy, including the Château de Loches.

During the Renaissance period, Herve Lohier (c. 1508-1572) was a French lawyer and humanist scholar who served as a royal counselor and ambassador for King Henry II of France.

These are just a few examples of the historical figures who bore the name Herve, demonstrating its long-standing presence in French and European culture throughout the centuries.

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

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

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