Hercules
A boy's name of Latin origin with 1,300 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
The Roman name for the Greek divine hero Heracles, who was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene, a celebrated hero who possessed exceptional strength. Most famous for his twelve labours performed to redeem himself after killing his family.
Hercules is a boy's baby name of Latin origin, the Roman form of the Greek Heracles, composed of Hera (the queen of the gods) and kleos (glory, fame), meaning 'glory of Hera' — though the greatest irony of ancient mythology is that it was Hera who persecuted Heracles most viciously, making him suffer until he achieved immortal glory.
With over 1,300 recorded births, Hercules is the most spectacularly mythological of all given names — the hero of the Twelve Labors who slew the Nemean Lion, captured the Erymanthian Boar, cleaned the Augean Stables, and ultimately achieved godhood after his death. The Disney animated film Hercules (1997), countless films, and the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys have made him one of the most universally recognized heroes in world culture.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Hercules is rooted in the Latin tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1908 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Hercules’s 1,300 recorded births suggest it has found a niche — possibly within a specific cultural community, region, or naming subculture within the broader American landscape.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Hercules has 103+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1908.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 98 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 120 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 20 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 59 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 57 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 67 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 109 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 163 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 149 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 173 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 168 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 111 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 6 | — |
The Story of Hercules
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2023, Hercules is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Hercules are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.
How rare is Hercules?
Only about 1 in every 276,923 babies born in 2024 was named Hercules — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1908, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1930s with 173 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Hercules by the numbers
- Would fill 27 school buses
- Meeting one Hercules per day would take 3.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(103 years, 1908–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | #6582 |
| 2023 | 30 | #3743 |
| 2022 | 22 | #4609 |
| 2021 | 21 | #4684 |
| 2020 | 12 | #6763 |
| 2019 | 10 | #7846 |
| 2018 | 25 | #4134 |
| 2017 | 12 | #6846 |
| 2016 | 19 | #5007 |
| 2015 | 17 | #5372 |
| 2014 | 15 | #5829 |
| 2013 | 6 | #11236 |
| 2012 | 6 | #11301 |
| 2011 | 5 | #13012 |
| 2010 | 5 | #12960 |
| 2006 | 7 | #9948 |
| 2003 | 6 | #10041 |
| 2000 | 7 | #8526 |
| 1999 | 6 | #9128 |
| 1998 | 6 | #8893 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hercules a boy's or girl's name?
When was Hercules most popular?
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Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1908–2024