An uncommon German pick — distinctive and rare.
A diminutive of the male given name Herbert.
Herb is a boy's baby name of German origin, a diminutive of Herbert, from the Old High German elements heri meaning 'army' and beraht meaning 'bright.' Short and direct, Herb was a common American given name in the mid-20th century, with the warmth of a trusted neighbor's name.
Herb has 77+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1884.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 17 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 46 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 84 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 377 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 321 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 531 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 394 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 149 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 65 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 12 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 7 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 6 | #8013 |
| 1992 | 6 | #7820 |
| 1991 | 5 | #8693 |
| 1989 | 6 | #7339 |
| 1988 | 6 | #6730 |
| 1985 | 8 | #4862 |
| 1984 | 6 | #5858 |
| 1982 | 5 | #6729 |
| 1981 | 6 | #5782 |
| 1980 | 9 | #4274 |
| 1977 | 7 | #4792 |
| 1976 | 6 | #5187 |
| 1975 | 7 | #4508 |
| 1973 | 10 | #3303 |
| 1972 | 13 | #2732 |
| 1971 | 18 | #2235 |
| 1970 | 23 | #1870 |
| 1969 | 18 | #2010 |
| 1968 | 19 | #1862 |
| 1967 | 22 | #1683 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1884–1993) · Methodology