The baby name Heracles is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced HER-ə-kleez (English); heh-RAHK-lehs (approx. Ancient Greek).
Heracles is Greek in Origin.
The baby name Heracles is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced HER-ə-kleez (English); heh-RAHK-lehs (approx. Ancient Greek).
Heracles is Greek in Origin.
Heracles derives from Ancient Greek Hēraklēs (Ἡρακλῆς), formed from the goddess Hēra and kléos “glory,” hence “glory of Hera.” The paradox of a hero named for Hera yet hounded by her is central to his myth; after feats known as the Twelve Labors he attained apotheosis. The name appears in Homeric and classical sources and was borne by local cult figures and dynasties claiming descent.
Through Roman adaptation it became Hercules, the most widespread form in Europe. Variant spellings include Herakles (transliteration), Héraclès/Héracles (French), Herakles/Herkules (German, Polish), Ercole (Italian), Hercule (French), Hércules (Spanish, Portuguese), and modern Greek Iraklis (Ηρακλής). Related derivative Heraclius/Herakleios means “belonging to Heracles.” As a given name, Heracles is rare outside Greece but sees occasional revival among classicists and in modern Greece as Iraklis.
Heracles is seldom given. In all, it turns up just 32 times, across 18 countries.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN | 0 | #86 | 1 | 3,857 | |
| GR | Boys | 0 | #272 | 2 | 6,912 |
| CN | Boys | 0 | #331 | 1 | 9,639 |
| PH | Boys | 0 | #407 | 2 | 11,440 |
| AR | Boys | 0 | #483 | 1 | 7,628 |
| CR | Boys | 0 | #510 | 1 | 10,188 |
| HK | Boys | 0 | #556 | 2 | 12,905 |
| CM | Boys | 0 | #573 | 3 | 12,054 |
| CL | Boys | 0 | #699 | 2 | 13,390 |
| SG | Boys | 0 | #739 | 1 | 17,960 |
| BR | Boys | 0 | #785 | 1 | 12,213 |
| PE | Boys | 0 | #925 | 2 | 14,506 |
| CO | Boys | 0 | #981 | 1 | 15,656 |
| MX | Boys | 0 | #1,028 | 6 | 16,355 |
| AE | Boys | 0 | #1,142 | 2 | 22,615 |
| MY | Boys | 0 | #1,182 | 1 | 25,439 |
| MA | 0 | #1,199 | 1 | 20,986 | |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,272 | 1 | 25,619 |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,691 | 1 | 28,008 |
Heracles is popular in 18 countries — most recent births per country:
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