Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Heath
BoyEnglish, Old English· “heath, open land with heather”
- Meaning
- heath, open land with heather
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- HEETH
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #932
- US babies 2025
- 253
- Best rank
- #181 (1974)
- Peak year
- 1974
Meaning and origin of Heath
Heath is an English and Old English name that means “heath, open land with heather”.
Heath is an English word name for open, uncultivated land covered with heather and low shrubs. It comes from the Old English hæth and first became a surname for people who lived on or near such land. As a given name, Heath has a rugged, outdoorsy character, and it gained modern visibility through the actor Heath Ledger. It also echoes Heathcliff, the brooding hero of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights. The name is short, strong and uncomplicated. It pairs especially well with longer, classic middle names.
Popularity over time
Heath first appears in US Social Security records in 1913. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 59 different years, starting in 1966. Its best national rank was #181 in 1974, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,249 babies. In 2025, 253 babies were named Heath, and it ranked #932 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,844 in 1920, #3,905 in 1950, #247 in 1980, #854 in 2000, #761 in 2010, and #932 in 2025. Of the 29,523 US boys named Heath since records began, 37% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 6,519 babies. Since 2010, 3,956 more have been named Heath.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Clifton, Toby, Geoffrey, Chadwick, and Cornelius.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Heath ranked highest in Missouri, Utah, and Tennessee.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | #495 | 12 |
| Utah | #532 | 8 |
| Tennessee | #563 | 13 |
| Wisconsin | #585 | 8 |
| Pennsylvania | #590 | 16 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Heath is usually pronounced HEETH, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with H and ends in “-th”.
Middle names for Heath
A few middle names that flow with Heath: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Heath
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Lists that include Heath
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Heath mean?
Heath is an English and Old English name that means “heath, open land with heather”.
What is the origin of the name Heath?
Heath has English and Old English roots. Heath is an English word name for open, uncultivated land covered with heather and low shrubs.
Is Heath a popular name?
Yes. Heath ranked #932 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Heath a boy or girl name?
Heath is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Heath?
Heath is usually pronounced HEETH. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings