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Herve
How to Pronounce Herve
Pronounced air-VAY /ɛərˈveɪ/Medium
Meaning: Herve is the French name Herve, from the Old Breton Haerviu, joining haer, 'battle', and viu, 'worthy' or 'ardent' — roughly 'battle-worthy'. Popularized by the sixth-century St Herve, a beloved blind Breton musician and abbot, it reached America with French and Breton families.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Herve comes from the Old Breton Haerviu, 'battle-worthy', and owes its enduring life to St Herve of Brittany. Carried in French use for centuries, it appears in United States records among French- and Breton-heritage families in the early twentieth century.
It was always rare in America, reaching only a couple dozen boys a year around 1921 before easing away. A Herve from that time belongs to a great-grandfather's generation now, and the name keeps a distinctly French, saintly character.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Herve mean?
It's the French Herve, from the Breton Haerviu, 'battle-worthy'.
How do you pronounce Herve?
It's said air-VAY /ɛərˈveɪ/, two syllables, stress on the second.
Is Herve a boy or girl name?
Herve is used as a boy's name.
Is Herve a popular name?
No, it was always rare in America, a French-heritage name seen only faintly in the early twentieth century.