Meaning & Origin
A male given name from the Germanic languages, in modern use partly transferred back from the surname.
Herbert is a boy's and girl's baby name of Germanic origin, from the Old High German Heribert — combining heri ("army") and beraht ("bright"), meaning "bright army." It was brought to England by the Normans and was common in medieval England before fading and reviving in the 19th century.
Herbert ranked in the U.S. top 30 boys' names from the 1880s through the 1920s, given a boost by President Herbert Hoover (1929-33). It's the quintessential grandfather name — currently positioned for the same revival that has swept Harold, Walter, and Bernard back into fashion. Herb as a nickname carries its own retro-cool appeal.