What Does the Name Herbert Mean?
Herbert is a boy's name of Germanic origin meaning “bright army.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Herbert |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Germanic |
| Meaning | bright army |
| Variants | Herb, Bert, Herbie, Heribert |
| Popularity | A top-100 name in the United States through the early 1900s; now rare and dated. |
The meaning and origin of Herbert
The name Herbert means “bright army” and has Germanic origins. From the Germanic elements 'heri' (army) and 'beraht' (bright), introduced to England by the Normans. It was reinforced in the 19th century by aristocratic families bearing it as a surname.
Variants and related names
Herbert is related to several other names you may recognize: Herb, Bert, Herbie, Heribert. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Herbert?
A top-100 name in the United States through the early 1900s; now rare and dated.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Herbert mean?+
The name Herbert means “bright army” and is of Germanic origin.
What is the origin of the name Herbert?+
Herbert originates from Germanic.
Is Herbert a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Herbert has trended in the US over time.
Herbert by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press