Herbert is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German words "h Hartmann" and "frid", which mean "strong" and "peace", respectively. The name was introduced to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The name Herbert became popular in England during the Middle Ages and was often used among the nobility. It is believed that the name gained popularity due to its association with the House of Normandy, as several members of this royal family bore the name Herbert.
Throughout history, there have been many notable individuals named Herbert. One of the most famous was Saint Herbert of Derwent, a Christian hermit and ascetic who lived in the 7th century. He is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church.
In literature, Herbert was also the given name of George Herbert, a Welsh poet and orator known for his religious poems. Additionally, the name has been used by several notable figures in politics, science, and arts throughout history.
Today, Herbert remains a popular given name for boys, although its usage has declined somewhat over time. It is still considered a classic and timeless choice, offering a strong and historic connection to its Germanic roots.
The name Herbert has a long history of usage in the United States, with records dating back to the late 19th century. The earliest year for which we have data is 1894, with 7 births recorded that year. This number remained consistent over the next few years, with 7 births in 1900 and 5 births each in 1902, 1904, and 1905.
However, starting from 1910, we see a significant increase in the number of births named Herbert. There were 7 births that year, followed by 11 births in 1913, 14 births in 1914, and peaking at 25 births in 1924. This trend continued until 1928, when there were a remarkable 43 births named Herbert.
After this peak, the number of births with the name Herbert began to fluctuate but generally declined over time. The 1930s and 1940s saw a decrease in popularity, with fewer than 20 births per year on average. This trend continued into the 1950s and 1960s, with only double-digit figures in some years.
The latter half of the 20th century witnessed further decline in the usage of the name Herbert. There were fewer than 10 births per year from 1973 onwards, except for a brief spike to 13 births in 1992. The early 21st century has seen consistent low figures, with only 5 to 10 births per year.
In total, there have been 1066 births named Herbert in the United States since 1894. This data illustrates how the popularity of the name Herbert has waxed and waned over time, with periods of significant usage followed by decades of relative obscurity. Despite its fluctuations in popularity, the name Herbert continues to be used today, albeit at a much lower frequency than in previous eras.