From the Greek name ‘Ηρωδης (Herodes), which probably means "song of the hero" from ‘ηρως (heros) "hero, warrior" combined with ωιδης (oides) "song, ode". This was the name of several rulers of Judea during the period when it was part of the Roman Empire. This includes Herod the Great, the king who ordered the slaughter of the children in the New Testament.