Sherlock

The first name Sherlock has its roots in English and is derived from an English surname. It translates to 'one with bright hair' or 'the one with shorn curls' and originally refers to someone with short hair.

What does the name Sherlock mean?

Sherlock is a boy's name that originates from English and is derived from a surname. Its meaning is 'one with bright hair' or 'the one with shorn curls' and originally referred to a person with short hair. The name has its roots in the Old English term scir-locc, which means 'with bright hair.' The name became famous through the literary character Sherlock Holmes.

Where does the name Sherlock come from?

The name Sherlock is a masculine first name with Old English roots, carrying the meaning 'one with bright hair.' It is composed of the Old English words scir and locc, meaning 'with bright hair.' The language of origin is English.

How do you pronounce Sherlock?

The pronunciation of Sherlock is clear and two-syllable. The name is pronounced as 'Sher-lock' [ˈʃɜːlɒk], with the soft sh sound providing a gentle start, while the second syllable is emphasized more clearly by the consonant cluster. The ending with '-lock' gives the name a compact and firm note, making it sound strong and present - clearly structured, distinctive, and with a unique sound signature.

Popularity

In Germany, Sherlock is a rather rare first name. In 2023, it ranked 5,488th in the list of the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2014, when it reached 1,715th. Over the last ten years, Sherlock has been given as a first name around 20 times, which places it at 5,091st in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 4,180th.

Nicknames & pet names

Locki / Löckchen / Shell / Shelli / Sher / Sherl / Sherli / Sherlie / Sherly / Shezza / Shlucky

Similar first names

Famous people

• Sherlock Holmes (fictional detective)
• Sherlock James Andrews (American politician)