This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance
- Meaning
- Army man
- Origin
- Old English/Germanic (compare German Hermann)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- HUR-mun
Herman is a boy's name rooted in Old English and Germanic tradition, closely related to the German name Hermann, and it carries the meaning "army man." It's pronounced HUR-mun, and it has a vintage feel — a name with real old-world weight rather than a modern invention. For parents drawn to names with historical grounding, Herman is a straightforward, solid pick.
Meaning & Origin of Herman
Meaning: Army man.
Origin: Old English/Germanic (compare German Hermann).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Herman
HUR-munIPA /ˈhɝːmən/
Popularity of Herman
Herman hit its high point in 1886, when it ranked #44 and 418 baby boys received the name; by 2024 it had dropped to #2641 with just 50 boys given the name, based on Social Security data spanning 1880 to 2024.
Names Like Herman
These names share Herman’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Herman mean?
Army man. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Herman?
Herman is pronounced HUR-mun (IPA: /ˈhɝːmən/).
Is Herman a popular name right now?
Herman peaked at #44 in 1886 and is ranked #2641 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Herman Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Herman, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Herman? 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 →




