Hera
Fact sheet
- Name
- Hera
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
The first name Hera has its roots in Greek mythology, where she is revered as the queen of the gods as well as the sister and wife of Zeus.
What does the name Hera mean?
The meaning of the name Hera is not clearly defined. It could mean 'the heroine' or 'the warrior,' derived from the ancient Greek herōs (ηρως) for 'the hero' and 'the warrior.' Another possibility is that the name means 'the season,' which is derived from the ancient Greek horā (ωρā). Additionally, it could also mean 'the beloved,' derived from ancient Greek eratō (ἐρατώ) for 'loved,' or 'the chosen one' from haireo (αιρεω) for 'to choose.' Hera also serves as a short form for names that begin with 'Her-,' such as Herlinde, which means 'the gentle warrior.' In Greek mythology, Hera (Roman Juno) is the goddess of marriage and family. As the wife of the godfather Zeus (Roman Jupiter), she is the proud queen of the heavens and mother of Hephaestus (Roman Vulcan), Ares (Roman Mars), and Hebe. However, Hera is often suspicious of her husband, as he is frequently unfaithful. The Latvian spelling of the name is Hēra, while other variants include Hero, Heron, and Heroina.
Where does the name Hera come from?
The name Hera has ancient Greek origins and is often associated with 'the heroine.' The etymology includes the ancient Greek terms herōs (ηρως) for 'the hero' or 'the warrior,' horā (ωρā) for 'season,' eratō (ἐρατώ) for 'beloved,' haireo (αιρεω) for 'to choose,' and héra (ηρα) for 'the lady' or 'the mistress.' It is used in several languages, including Basque, Bulgarian, English, Esperanto, Greek, Latvian, Macedonian, and Slovenian.
How do you pronounce Hera?
The pronunciation of Hera is two syllables and clearly structured. In the German language, the name is usually pronounced as 'He-ra' [ˈheːʁa], with a long E marking the beginning of the name. The soft R leads to the open final syllable with A, giving the sound of the name a warm note. Thus, Hera conveys an impression of dignity and presence – clear, powerful, and sonically harmonious.
When is the name day of Hera?
The name day for Hera is celebrated on December 14.
Popularity
Hera is a fairly sought-after first name in Germany. Currently, it ranks 1,254th on the list of the most common female first names. Its best placement was in 2005, when it reached 882nd place. In the last ten years, the name has been given about 180 times, placing it 1,692nd in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 1,982nd. The global popularity and frequency of Hera varies by country.
Nicknames & pet names
Heri / Ra
Famous people
- Hera Björk (singer from Iceland)
- Hera Bjork (Icelandic singer)
- Hera Delgado (German film director)
- Hera Desi (German badminton player)
- Hera Desi Ana Rachmawati (Indonesian badminton player)
- Hera Lind (author and television presenter)
Frequently asked questions about the name Hera
What is the origin of the name Hera?
The name Hera has its roots in ancient Greek and is often associated with 'the heroine.' It is derived from various ancient Greek terms, including herōs for 'the hero,' horā for 'season,' and eratō for 'beloved.'
What does the name Hera mean?
The meaning of the name Hera is diverse and could include 'the heroine,' 'the warrior,' 'the beloved,' or 'the chosen one.' Furthermore, Hera is the goddess of marriage and family in Greek mythology.
How popular is the name Hera?
The name Hera enjoys a certain popularity in various countries and is used in languages such as English, Greek, and Latvian. It has a timeless appeal, especially due to its mythological connection.