Heather
Heather is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Evergreen flowering shrub.
Origin and history
Heather is derived from the English word for the small, evergreen flowering shrub native to rocky heathlands. Although predominantly used for females in the United States, it has a history of rare usage as a masculine name. It carries a nature-inspired botanical motif with classic British countryside roots.
Popularity in the United States
1,477 babies in the United States have been named Heather since 1880. It ranks #3255 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- CA (39 %)
- OH (9.5 %)
- TX (9.5 %)
- PA (8.2 %)
- DC (7.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 74 |
| 1970-1980 | 632 |
| 1980-1990 | 635 |
| 1990-2000 | 131 |
| 2000-2010 | 5 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Fun facts
- The name directly refers to Calluna vulgaris, a resilient flowering plant native to peat bogs and moorlands.
- While widely popular for girls in the late 20th century, over 1,400 males in the U.S. have been named Heather since 1880.