Holmes was born Herman Webster Mudgett in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, United States, on May 16, 1861, to Levi Horton Mudgett and Theodate Page Price, both of whom were descended from the first English immigrants in the area.
Holmes lahir sebagai Herman Webster Mudgett di Gilmanton, New Hampshire, pada tanggal 16 Mei 1861, ke Levi Horton Mudgett dan Theodate Page Price, keduanya berasal dari pemukim Inggris pertama di daerah tersebut.