Hercules, derived from Latin and Greek origins, translates to 'glory of Hera'. This robust and powerful name has been popular throughout history, often associated with the legendary demigod of Greek mythology who performed twelve labors to atone for a crime he did not commit. The name was also borne by numerous individuals in ancient Rome, including several Roman emperors. In modern times, it continues to be used as both a given name and surname around the world.
The name Hercules experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, with its highest point around the late 1920s to early 1930s, reaching a peak of 29 births in 1928. However, since the mid-20th century, it has become increasingly less common, with fewer than 10 births per year from the 1960s onwards, and even dropping to single digits or zero in some years. Despite this decline in popularity, there has been a recent resurgence since 2014, with over 15 births each year until 2023, suggesting that the name Hercules may be regaining favor among parents. In total, over the period from 1908 to 2023, the name Hercules was given to 1287 newborns.