Herrick is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old German personal name Hrodgaric, which is composed of the elements hrod, meaning "fame" or "renown," and gar, meaning "spear." Therefore, Herrick translates to "famous spear" or "renowned warrior."
The name Herrick has a rich history, with its earliest appearances in medieval English records. It was brought to England by the Anglo-Saxons who settled on the island after migrating from Germany. Over time, the name evolved and became more anglicized, eventually emerging as Herrick.
Herrick is perhaps best known today as the surname of the renowned English poet Robert Herrick (1591-1674). Born in London, Herrick was a prominent figure in the literary circle of the 17th century. His most famous work is "Hesperides," published in 1648, which includes his celebrated poem "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time." Despite its prominence as a surname, Herrick remains relatively rare as a given name.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in unique and distinctive names for boys, and Herrick fits perfectly into this category. With its strong historical roots and meaningful translation, Herrick is an appealing choice for parents looking for a unique and significant name for their son.
The statistics for the given name Herrick show a varied pattern of usage over time in the United States. The name first appeared in 1917 with five recorded births that year. This was followed by another peak in 1921, also with six births.
After a gap of nearly three decades, the name resurfaced in 1949 with another six births. The trend continued with five births each in 1953 and 1979, suggesting that Herrick was not widely used during these periods but still had occasional appearances.
There was a notable spike in popularity in 1988, with ten births recorded that year, making it the highest figure on record. This popularity continued into the late twentieth century, with five births each in 1991 and 1997, indicating that Herrick remained a choice for parents during this time.
However, the name's usage seemed to decline again by 2007, with only six births recorded that year. Overall, from 1917 to 2007, there were a total of sixty-six births registered in the United States with the given name Herrick. This data suggests that while Herrick has not been a consistently popular name throughout history, it has experienced periods of increased usage and remains an option for parents seeking a unique name for their child.