Hermes is a name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek word "Ἥρμα" (Hérma), meaning "heap of stones," a reference to ancient boundary markers or piles of stones used for offerings. In Greek mythology, Hermes was the swift-footed god of trade, heralds, merchants, commerce, roads, thievery, trickery, sports, travelers, and athletes. He was also known as a psychopomp, guiding souls to the afterlife. In Roman mythology, he was equivalent to Mercury, another god associated with commerce, communication, messages, and travelers. The name Hermes has been popular throughout history, particularly in cultures influenced by Greek and Roman traditions. It regained popularity as a given name in the late 20th century, reaching peak popularity in the 1980s and 1990s.
The name Hermes experienced a significant increase in popularity from the late 20th century onwards, with a notable spike in births starting around the year 2000 and continuing through to present day. Before this period, there were fewer than ten births per year for most decades, with several years having no recorded births at all. However, since around the turn of the millennium, the number of births has steadily increased, with over twenty births recorded in some recent years (such as 2019, 2021, and 2022). Overall, there have been a total of 632 births named Hermes since 1924.