Boy · 250th of 10,718
Heath
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
29,449
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1974
Peak Popularity Year
1,264
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Heath stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Heath is an Old English name meaning 'open land' or 'heathland', derived from the word 'hæþ'. The name has evolved from its Old English roots through Middle English to its current form. It is often associated with nature and ruggedness, and while it does not have biblical relevance, it gained popularity in the 20th century. Notable people with this name include Heath Ledger and Heath Bell.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/hiːθ/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name 'Heath' originates from the Old English word 'hæþ', which refers to a tract of wasteland or heathland, an area characterized by open, uncultivated land covered with heather and low shrubs.
Meaning
open land, wasteland, heathland
Language Evolution
Old English: hæþ, Middle English: heath, Modern English: Heath
Historical Usage
The name Heath gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as both a given name and a surname.
Variants & Derivatives
Heatha, Heathcliff, Heathen
Modern Popularity & Image
Heath is considered a modern and somewhat nature-inspired name, often associated with a rugged or outdoorsy image.
Famous People
Heath Ledger, Heath Bell, Heath Miller
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,264 peak births in 1974
Geographic Spread
Popular across 48 US states, with strongest presence in South Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 10 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2987th of 7545 | 123 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3442nd of 6773 | 86 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3294th of 7552 | 117 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 250th of 10718 | 13,778 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 406th of 16616 | 8,099 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 758th of 24088 | 4,153 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 910th of 23106 | 2,912 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 6624th of 19264 | 108 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 11965th of 27321 | 68 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 35406th of 35406 | 5 |