The story behind Herman
From Old English here (“army”) + man (“man”) It was revived in the 19th century, partly due to American immigrants from continental Europe where the name has been more popular. Compare the German equivalent Hermann.
Pronunciation
General-American: /ˈhɝmən/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Received-Pronunciation: /ˈhɜːmən/
Popularity
Herman ranked #2368 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Herman
Baldwin
From Proto-West Germanic *Balþawini, from Proto-Germanic *Balþawiniz (“bold friend”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Dustin
Probably from Old Norse Þorsteinn (“Thor's stone”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Edlyn
A 20th-century coinage, apparently a blend of Ed + Lyn, or a variant of Edeline. Borrowed from English Edlyn, from a 20th-century coinage, apparently a blend of Ed + Lyn.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Erwin
A male given name from the Germanic languages, of rare usage, variant of Irwin.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Joslyn
A female given name from the Germanic languages, of modern usage, variant of Jocelyn.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Osman
Inherited from Middle English, from Old Norse Ásmundr, from áss (“a god”) + mund (“protection, hand”). Borrowed from Ottoman Turkish عثمان (osmân), from Arabic عُثْمَان…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Herman
Abelard
From French Abélard, an extension of the Abel with an Germanic suffix -(h)ard. Possibly also regarded a variant of the German Eberhard "boar" + "hard", equivalent to English…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Adalbertas
Learned borrowing from Latin Adalbertus, from Proto-West Germanic *Aþalaberht, from Proto-Germanic *Aþalaberhtaz. Compare German Adalbert and Latvian Adalberts.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Adela
Latinate form of French Adèle, short form of Germanic compound names beginning with Proto-Germanic *aþalaz (“noble”). Compare Old English æþele, English athel. Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Herman
Abelard
From French Abélard, an extension of the Abel with an Germanic suffix -(h)ard. Possibly also regarded a variant of the German Eberhard "boar" + "hard", equivalent to English…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Adel
Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *aþalaz. The female name is a rare variant of Adele. The surname is borrowed from German Adel. Variant of Adil, from Arabic عَادِل (ʕādil).
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Adél
From French Adèle.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length