Hero

Meaning of Hero

Hero sweeps in like a trumpet flourish, carrying a passport that spans ancient Greece to modern Bollywood. Rooted in the Greek word hērōs, “protector” or “defender,” the name first glimmered in myth through Hero and Leander’s star-crossed tale, then resurfaced in Shakespeare’s comedies and, closer to home, in every Hindi movie credit where the lead actor is fondly announced as “our hero.” Today, parents choose Hero for sons who they hope will walk tall and guard the values they cherish, much like Arjuna drawing his bow on Kurukshetra or a cricket captain steadying the team in the final over. Pronounced HEE-roh, the name remains delightfully uncommon in the United States—hovering around the 850s on the popularity charts—so a little boy named Hero will likely be the only one on the playground with a moniker that doubles as a compliment. It’s a choice that blends classical gravitas with cinematic sparkle and a dash of everyday Indian endearment, embodying courage with a friendly grin.

Pronunciation

English

• Pronunced as HEE-roh (/ˈhiːroʊ/)