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Dictionary of Medieval Names
from European Sources

Hercules m. Latin Hercules, the Roman form of Greek Ἡρακλῆς, from Greek Ἡρα 'Hera' (the name of a goddess) + Greek κλέος 'report; good report, fame, glory', the name of a son of Zeus.

The ancient Greek and Roman hero was well-known in the Middle Ages for his Twelve Labours. In cultures and contexts where it was not uncommon to name children for figures in important literary and mythical cycles, Hercules was a popular choice.

Belgium
Dutch
1597x1598 Hercules BoonenGes p. 385
England
Early Modern English
1587 Herciles COmar-vol2 p. 49
Middle French
1574 Hercilles WCS p. 42, Hercules ibid. p. 42, herculles ibid. p. 10; 1576 hercilles ibid. p. 43
Walloon
1582 Hercules RWC p. 4; 1583/4 Hercules ibid. p. 8
Cite as: J. Uckelman, S.L. Uckelman. "Hercules". In S.L. Uckelman, ed. The Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, Edition 2021, no. 1. http://dmnes.org/2021/1/name/Hercules.