Hyman

♂ Boy

Pronounced HY-muhn /ˈhaɪ.mən/High

Meaning: A Jewish given name, an anglicization of the Hebrew Chaim (Hayyim), 'life.' It was common among Jewish-American families in the early twentieth century.Medium

In 30 seconds: Hyman is an anglicization of Hebrew Chaim, 'life' (said 'HY-muhn').

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Origin MediumHebrew, Yiddish

MeaningA Jewish given name, an anglicization of the Hebrew Chaim (Hayyim), 'life.' It was common among Jewish-American families in the early twentieth century.

U.S. rank (2014)#10028 ↗ Rising

2014 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1916

Total births (all-time)≈ 5,858

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

Hyman is a Jewish given name, an anglicization of the Hebrew Chaim, 'life.' Widespread among Jewish-American families in the early twentieth century, it crested around 1916 and then faded as naming fashions changed, now a vintage name with a warm Hebrew meaning.

Given to several hundred boys a year at its height, Hyman now reads as an early-century Jewish-American name.

Did you know? Hyman peaked around 1916 and had faded by mid-century, an early-century Jewish-American name meaning 'life.'

Overall data confidence 78%

References — Hyman — Anglicization of Hebrew Chaim 'life'

Variations

HymenChaimHyman

Nicknames

HyHymie

Famous Bearers

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If you like Hyman…

Chaim— the Hebrew source name

Morris— a same-era Jewish-American name

Irving— a same-era Jewish-American name

Seymour— a like early-century name of the community

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By themevintage jewish hebrew-root 1910s

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Hyman mean?

Hyman is an anglicization of the Hebrew Chaim, meaning 'life.'

How do you pronounce Hyman?

It's said HY-muhn /ˈhaɪ.mən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Hyman a boy or girl name?

Hyman is used as a boy's name.

Is Hyman making a comeback?

Not notably — it's an early-twentieth-century favorite that has been uncommon since, though its Hebrew source Chaim remains in steady use.