Heather

“The heather plant, a small flowering shrub” — Middle English origin

Girl's name · #1261 in the US (2025) · Retro

Heather has appeared in US records since 1914 — best rank #3 (1975) · 525,910 babies named Heather all-time · 1 in 9,100 girls born in 2025.

Around the world: about 1 in 1,100 girls in Scotland (2025) · about 1 in 1,800 girls in Ireland (2025) · about 1 in 5,500 girls in England & Wales (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 17 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Heathers

Heather Graham — American actress
Heather Locklear — American actress (born 1961)
Heather Morris — American actress, dancer, singer, and model
Heather O'Rourke — American actress (1975–1988)
Heather Watson — British female tennis player

In stories & tradition

Heather Mason — Silent Hill
Heather Trott — EastEnders
Heather Stevens — The Young and the Restless

What Heathers become

Among 1,211 notable people named Heather:

Entertainers appear 1.53× more often than among typical names — e.g. Heather Graham, American actress.

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.