Heather
How to say it: HETH-ur · /ˈhɛðər/
From the English word for the flowering heather plant (Calluna vulgaris), native to Scottish moorlands.
Heather was the 1,062nd most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 177 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1970s, its births are down about 36% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #1,087 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #1,062 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 177 |
| Share of births | 1 in 18,730 |
| Peak decade | 1970s |
| Change over 10 years | −36% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #1,087 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,735 among girls’ names, 10 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Once a defining favorite, Heather crested in the 1970s. Today far below that high, it is expected to slip further.
What goes with it
Breathy and gentle with a floral and nature spirit, Heather sounds soft in two parts. Holly and Laurel pair nicely alongside it.
Nicknames
- Heath
Honouring a Heather in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Heather is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
In France: #1,735 for girls in 2025.
Ireland: #337.
Famous people named Heather
- Heather Graham (born 1970)American actress
- Heather Locklear (born 1961)American actress
- Heather Morris (born 1987)American actress, dancer, singer, and model
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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