Hershel

Hershel is a Yiddish affectionate form of Hirsh, a name meaning deer. The diminutive ending gives it the sense little deer. Although it belongs to Jewish naming history, its immediate language of origin is Yiddish rather than Hebrew. Hersh is a natural shorter form, and Herschel is another established spelling.

There is also an American naming route associated with the German surname Herschel, familiar through the astronomer William Herschel. That connection can give the name a different family story from its Yiddish use. Whether chosen for heritage or for its animal meaning, Hershel carries a fuller history than the simple deer translation alone suggests.