Herve
A boy's name of Celtic origin with 560 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A Belgian cheese similar to Limburger.
Hervé is a boy's baby name of Celtic origin, the French form of the Breton name Haerviu or Hoiarnviu, meaning 'battle-worthy' or 'iron' combined with 'blazing.' Saint Hervé was a sixth-century blind Breton monk and bard, the patron saint of horses and blacksmiths.
Herve (without the accent) appears in American records as an immigrant name brought by French and Haitian families. In France, Hervé has been a steady, respectable choice that carries Brittany's rich Celtic heritage within a distinctly French form.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Herve is a boy's name with over a century of recorded use (1911–2023). Its Celtic roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Though no longer in the top 1,000, Herve’s 560 recorded births mean it has left a mark. Every name carries the accumulated identity of the people who have worn it — and Herve has decades of that history.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Herve has 57+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1911.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 13 | #10609 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 6 | #11274 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 17 | #8484 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 72 | #4890 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 21 | #5426 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 28 | #3448 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 11 | #3930 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 36 | #2955 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 84 | #2845 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 161 | #2166 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 111 | #1951 | — |
The Story of Herve
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1921, Herve is a name steeped in history. Boys named Herve are most likely born between 1911 and 1931.
How rare is Herve?
With 560 total births on record, Herve remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1911, peaked in the 1920s with 161 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Herve by the numbers
- Would fill 12 school buses
- Meeting one Herve per day would take 1.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(57 years, 1911–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 | #10111 |
| 2020 | 6 | #11107 |
| 2019 | 6 | #11274 |
| 1995 | 5 | #9381 |
| 1993 | 5 | #9263 |
| 1991 | 7 | #6807 |
| 1989 | 9 | #5335 |
| 1987 | 6 | #6409 |
| 1985 | 7 | #5379 |
| 1984 | 6 | #5860 |
| 1983 | 9 | #4280 |
| 1982 | 7 | #5246 |
| 1981 | 10 | #3955 |
| 1980 | 18 | #2658 |
| 1978 | 5 | #6172 |
| 1975 | 5 | #5801 |
| 1972 | 5 | #5281 |
| 1970 | 6 | #4450 |
| 1968 | 8 | #3212 |
| 1966 | 7 | #3356 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Herve a boy's or girl's name?
When was Herve most popular?
How popular is the name Herve?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1911–2023