Hercules
Hercules: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhɜːkjəliːz/ · /ˈhɜːkjʊliːz/
Meaning and origin of Hercules
Root meaning: “year, season”
- A male given name from Ancient Greek.
Etymology
From Latin Herculēs, from Etruscan 𐌇𐌄𐌓𐌂𐌋𐌄 (hercle), from Ancient Greek Ἡρακλῆς (Hēraklês), apparently cognate of Ἥρα (Hḗra, “Hera”) and, according to Haudry, from Proto-Indo-European *yóh₁r̥ (“year, season”) + κλέος (kléos, “glory”). Doublet of Heracles.
How popular is Hercules?
Since 1880, 1,320 boys in the U.S. have been named Hercules. Its highest rank for boys was #1291 in 1908. In 2025, 20 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Hercules
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Greek boy names
Sibling name ideas for Hercules
Sister and brother names that share Hercules's Greek roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Hercules FAQ
What does the name Hercules mean?
Hercules traces back to a root meaning "year, season". A male given name from Ancient Greek. From Latin Herculēs, from Etruscan 𐌇𐌄𐌓𐌂𐌋𐌄 (hercle), from Ancient Greek Ἡρακλῆς (Hēraklês), apparently cognate of Ἥρα (Hḗra, “Hera”) and, according to Haudry, from Proto-Indo-European *yóh₁r̥ (“year, season”) + κλέος (kléos, “glory”). Doublet of Heracles.
What is the origin of the name Hercules?
Hercules is listed as a name of Greek origin.
How popular is the name Hercules?
Since 1880, 1,320 boys in the U.S. have been named Hercules. Its highest rank for boys was #1291 in 1908. In 2025, 20 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Hercules a boy or girl name?
Hercules is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 0 girls and 1,320 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.