Hershel

Meaning of Hershel

Hershel is a Yiddish gem—originally a diminutive of the German “Hirsch,” meaning “deer”—that’s both softly poetic and delightfully genuine. It rolls off the tongue with a gentle “HER-shel,” conjuring images of graceful leaps and the mischievous charm of Hershel of Ostropol, the lovable trickster of Jewish folklore. Though Hershel hovers around the 877th rank in recent U.S. birth charts, with roughly fifty newborns each year, its steady appeal speaks to parents who crave something rooted in heritage yet refreshingly offbeat. Warm, character-rich, and just a bit playful, Hershel makes a memorable choice for any little boy blessed with a name so full of heart and story.

Pronunciation

Yiddish

• Pronunced as HER-shel (/ˈhɛr.ʃəl/)

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