Girl · 9th of 19,264
Heather
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
527,210
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1975
Peak Popularity Year
24,367
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Heather 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
The name Heather has its roots in English, derived from the name of a flowering plant that signifies beauty and resilience. It evolved from Old English through Middle English to its modern form. The name has gained popularity since the 20th century, especially during the 1960s and 1970s, and is often linked to positive traits associated with nature. There are no significant biblical references connected to the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈhɛðər/
Origin
English
Etymology
The name Heather comes from the flowering plant of the same name, which is commonly found in the British countryside. The plant symbolizes beauty and resilience.
Meaning
flowering plant
Language Evolution
Old English: hæð, Middle English: hether, Modern English: Heather
Historical Usage
Heather became popular as a given name in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries. It gained significant popularity in the 1960s and 1970s.
Variants & Derivatives
Hedda, Heddy
Modern Popularity & Image
The name Heather is often associated with beauty and nature. It has a nostalgic image, evoking a sense of calm and tranquility.
Famous People
Heather Locklear, Heather Graham, Heather Mills
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 24,367 peak births in 1975
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 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 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 6360th of 7552 | 12 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1195th of 10718 | 771 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1762nd of 16616 | 671 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 16493rd of 24088 | 23 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5908th of 9107 | 31 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 850th of 9204 | 1,311 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 322nd of 12526 | 14,358 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 9th of 19264 | 248,748 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 16th of 27321 | 233,455 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 207th of 35406 | 25,189 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1135th of 30306 | 2,641 |