It is likely that Hermes is a pre-Hellenic god, though the exact origins of his worship, and its original nature, remain unclear. Other scholars have suggested that Hermes may be a cognate of the Vedic Sarama. Scholarly speculation that 'Hermes' derives from a more primitive form meaning 'one cairn' is disputed. However, the stone etymology is also linked to Indo-European *ser- ('to bind, put together'). Beekes rejects the connection with herma and suggests a Pre-Greek origin. The etymology of ἕρμα itself is unknown, but is probably not a Proto-Indo-European word. Most scholars derive 'Hermes' from Greek ἕρμα ( herma), 'stone heap.' The earliest form of the name Hermes is the Mycenaean Greek * hermāhās, written 𐀁𐀔𐁀 e-ma-a 2 ( e-ma-ha) in the Linear B syllabic script. In Roman mythology and religion many of Hermes' characteristics belong to Mercury, a name derived from the Latin merx, meaning 'merchandise,' and the origin of the words ' merchant' and 'com merce.'

His attributes had previously influenced the earlier Etruscan god Turms, a name borrowed from the Greek 'herma'. However, his main symbol is the caduceus, a winged staff intertwined with two snakes copulating and carvings of the other gods.

His attributes and symbols include the herma, the rooster, the tortoise, satchel or pouch, talaria (winged sandals), and winged helmet or simple petasos, as well as the palm tree, goat, the number four, several kinds of fish, and incense. Hermes is regarded as 'the divine trickster,' about which the Homeric Hymn to Hermes offers the most well-known account. In myth, Hermes functions as the emissary and messenger of the gods, and is often presented as the son of Zeus and Maia, the Pleiad. Hermes plays the role of the psychopomp or 'soul guide'-a conductor of souls into the afterlife. He is able to move quickly and freely between the worlds of the mortal and the divine, aided by his winged sandals. He is also considered the protector of human heralds, travellers, thieves, merchants, and orators.

Hermes is considered the herald of the gods. Hermes ( / ˈ h ɜːr m iː z/ Greek: Ἑρμῆς) is an Olympian deity in ancient Greek religion and mythology.

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