Hershel \he(r)-shel\ as a boy's name is pronounced HER-schul. It is of Yiddish origin, and the meaning of Hershel is "deer". Herzl is often used to commemorate Theodor Herzl, an early Zionist. Football player Herschel Walker.

Hershel has 13 variant forms: Hersch, Herschel, Herschell, Hersh, Hertzel, Herzel, Herzl, Heschel, Heshel, Hirsch, Hirschel, Hirschl and Hirsh.