Herman
Herman (name) means a male given name of Germanic origin, and a common surname. Example: “Herman moved to Wisconsin with his family in the 1890s.”
How to use Herman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA traditional first name meaning roughly "army man".
Word forms
Hermans plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ moved to Wisconsin with his family in the 1890s.
Etymology
From Old English here ("army") and man, later reinforced by the German equivalent Hermann as European immigrants brought it to America.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Herman
Frequently asked questions
What does “Herman” mean?
The word “Herman” means a male given name of Germanic origin, and a common surname. In plain terms, a traditional first name meaning roughly "army man".
How do you pronounce “Herman”?
“Herman” is pronounced HUR-muhn (/ˈhɝmən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Herman” in a sentence?
Here is “Herman” used in a sentence: “Herman moved to Wisconsin with his family in the 1890s.”
What part of speech is “Herman”?
“Herman” is a name.
Where does the word “Herman” come from?
The word “Herman” comes from Old English. From Old English here ("army") and man, later reinforced by the German equivalent Hermann as European immigrants brought it to America.
Is “Herman” a common word?
“Herman” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Is Herman used as a first name, a surname, or both?
Herman functions as both a male given name and a common surname of Germanic origin. Which role it plays in a given case depends entirely on context, such as its position in a full name.
What are common nickname forms of the name Herman?
Herman is often shortened informally to Herm or Hermie in casual or affectionate use. These shortened forms are typical of how longer given names get abbreviated in everyday speech.
Are there name variants related to Herman in other languages?
Yes, Herman shares its Germanic root with related forms found across European languages, since many given names of this type have parallel spellings in different linguistic traditions. As a surname, it can also appear as a family name passed down independently of the given name.