This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance
- Meaning
- Bright army
- Origin
- Germanic (via Old French, from Frankish *Hariberht)
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- HER-bert
Herbert is a Germanic name that came into English by way of Old French, tracing back to the Frankish *Hariberht and carrying the meaning "bright army." It's a name built from old, sturdy roots rather than a modern coinage. If you're researching names with a clear Germanic origin and a straightforward etymology, Herbert is a solid example.
Meaning & Origin of Herbert
Meaning: Bright army.
Origin: Germanic (via Old French, from Frankish *Hariberht).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Herbert
HER-bertIPA /ˈhɜːrbərt/
Popularity of Herbert
Herbert peaked at #25 in 1928, when 8,065 baby boys were given the name that year, but by 2024 it had dropped all the way to #2482 with just 55 boys named Herbert. Across the SSA's full 1880-2024 data range, that's a name that went from a top-25 favorite to a rare choice.
Names Like Herbert
These names have followed a similar path to Herbert in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Herbert mean?
Bright army. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Herbert?
Herbert is pronounced HER-bert (IPA: /ˈhɜːrbərt/).
Is Herbert a popular name right now?
Herbert peaked at #25 in 1928 and is ranked #2482 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Herbert Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Herbert, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Herbert? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!
📱 The Baby Names app is here
Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →
