The nameHero

Hero is a Greek name from a tragic love story. In English it is used for girls and, more recently, for boys.

Meaning

Hero is the priestess of Aphrodite in the Greek legend of Hero and Leander. The name is linked to Hera.

Origin

Greek.

History

Shakespeare gave the name to the heroine of Much Ado About Nothing. In the United States Hero reached its best rank for boys, 2085th, in 2021.

Famous people named Hero

Popularity of the name Hero

Hero in the United States

2352ndmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024
2022peak year (82 births)
953babies named Hero in the United States since 1880
04182 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Hero was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 463 births over the decade, 49% of all recorded babies named Hero. Its rise began around 2004, and it peaked in 2022. Half of all babies named Hero in the United States were born before 2018, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 73 births a year on average, against 63 in the five years before.

Sibling names for Hero

Names from the same generation as Hero, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Hero? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Hero with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Hero side by side with the name of your choice.

Hero in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Hero mean?

Hero is the priestess of Aphrodite in the Greek legend of Hero and Leander. The name is linked to Hera.

What is the origin of the name Hero?

Greek.

Is Hero a girl's or a boy's name?

Hero is a unisex name, given to both girls and boys. In the United States, 22% of the babies named Hero are girls.

How popular is the name Hero?

In 2024, Hero was the 2352nd most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 60 births.

What are good sibling names for Hero?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Margaux, Agnes, Sybil and Dorothea for a sister, Alistair, Yanis, Bastian and Alphonse for a brother.

Who are famous people named Hero?

Hero Fiennes Tiffin, actor.