Herman is a masculine given name of Germanic origin, derived from the elements "harja" meaning "army" and "mann" meaning "man." It translates to "army man" or "soldier." The name has a rich history, first recorded in the 8th century in various forms such as Hariman, Heriman, and Hairman. It regained popularity in the English-speaking world in the 19th century, particularly among German Americans. Herman remains widely used in Dutch and Scandinavian languages. The name has also been used as a German surname since the 16th century. Despite its historical significance, the name's popularity has fluctuated over time, peaking in the early 20th century before declining. Today, Herman is less commonly used as a given name but remains associated with notable figures in literature and other fields.
