Hershell

Hershell is a masculine name of Germanic origin, considered a variant spelling of Herschel. The name ultimately derives from the Yiddish 'Hershel,' a diminutive of 'Hersh' (deer), or from the German 'Hirsch' with the same meaning. Hershell gained modest recognition in the United States during the early to mid-20th century but has since declined in popularity. The name carries associations with astronomy through Sir William Herschel, the famed astronomer who discovered Uranus. Hershell has a warm, vintage quality that reflects its era of peak usage, though the spelling with double 'l' is less common than Herschel. The name suggests strength and dignity while maintaining a friendly, approachable character.

Pronounced HER-shul.

As of October 2026, Hershell ranked #9353 for boys in US births in 1994 SSA, peaked at #871 for boys in 1903.