Herbert is a masculine given name of German origin, derived from the Germanic elements "Heri" meaning "army" or "war", and "berht" meaning "bright" or "famous". The name was brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066, and it has been used there since that time.
The name Herbert was particularly popular among the nobility in medieval England. It was borne by several notable figures throughout history, including Herbert of Losinj, a 9th-century Croatian duke, and Herbert I, Count of Vermandois, who fought alongside William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings.
In literature, Herbert is known as the first name of the protagonist in George du Maurier's novel "Trilby" (1894), which has made the name associated with the artistic world. Additionally, the poet and metaphysical Herbert is known for his collection "The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations" published in 1633.
Today, Herbert is still used as a given name, though its popularity has waned since the mid-20th century. It remains more commonly used in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States. The name's variants include Herb, Herbie, Bertie, andbert among others.
The name Herber has been a consistent but relatively rare choice for parents in the United States over the past few decades, with an average of about five to seven babies being named Herber each year since 1991.
In the year 2000, there was a slight increase in popularity with eight babies named Herber. However, this spike did not lead to a significant trend as the number of births with this name fluctuated between five and seven over the subsequent years up until 2015 when it rose again to six.
Overall, since 1991, there have been a total of 59 babies named Herber born in the United States. This statistic suggests that while the name may not be highly popular or trendy, it remains a steady choice among parents who wish to give their child this unique moniker.