Hercules
Meaningglory of Hera · Latin
- US rank
- #4,857
- Syllables
- 3
- Peak
- #1,217 in 1908
20 babies were named Hercules in the US in 2025. It has climbed 1,763 places in five years.
Found on lists
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US births per million boys, 1908–2025
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Hercules you might not know, from US birth records and Wikipedia. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
Famous Hercules
Hercules Seghers
Dutch painter and engraver (c.1589-c.1638)
Choose Hercules and your child shares a first name with Hercules Seghers, a Dutch painter and engraver. A ready-made answer when someone asks “Hercules, like who?” Hercules Seghers's Wikipedia article is available in 24 languages, a good sign of just how widely known they are.
Read about Hercules Seghers on Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)- How commonAbout 1 in every 85,470 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Hercules, 20 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Hercules would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryHercules first shows up in US birth records in 1908, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 117 years since.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1908, when it ranked #1,217. Today it's #4,857, so it could be due a comeback.
- Then vs nowHercules is 3.2× more common today than it was in 2000. In 2000 it was given to about 1 in 277,778 baby boys; in 2025, about 1 in 85,470.
- TrendHercules has climbed 1,763 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #4,857. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- MeaningIn Latin, Hercules means “glory of Hera”. Our records link it to Greek and Latin roots.
About the name Hercules
Hercules is a boy name of Greek and Latin origin meaning “glory of Hera”. It has 8 letters and 3 syllables, starting with H and ending in “-les”. US birth records list Hercules for boys from 1908 to 2025, in 104 of those 118 years. Its best year was 1908, when it ranked #1,217 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #4,857, with 20 babies.
Origin:Greek namesLatin names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 19 | 51,414 boys |
| 1910s | 18 | 54,915 boys |
| 1920s | 15 | 65,531 boys |
| 1930s | 16 | 61,387 boys |
| 1940s | 10 | 99,502 boys |
| 1950s | 8.1 | 123,153 boys |
| 1960s | 5.5 | 180,505 boys |
| 1970s | 4.1 | 241,546 boys |
| 1980s | 3.1 | 324,675 boys |
| 1990s | 3.0 | 328,947 boys |
| 2000s | 1.0 | 1,000,000 boys |
| 2010s | 6.4 | 155,763 boys |
| 2020s | 11 | 87,848 boys |
More Greek boy names
- Boy name: Theodore · gift of God
- Boy name: Mateo · gift of God
- Boy name: Lucas · man from Lucania
- Unisex name: Elias · my God is Yahweh
- Boy name: Sebastian · venerable
- Boy name: Leo · lion
- Boy name: Thomas · twin
- Unisex name: Miles · possibly gracious
Questions about the name Hercules
What does the name Hercules mean?
Hercules means “glory of Hera” in Latin.
What is the origin of the name Hercules?
Hercules has Greek, Latin roots in our records. Other Greek names include Theodore, Mateo, Lucas.
Is Hercules a boy or girl name?
Hercules is a boy name.
How popular is the name Hercules?
Hercules ranked #4,857 for US boys in 2025, given to 20 babies. Its best year was 1908 (#1,217).