Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Heidi
GirlGerman, Germanic· “noble kind”
- Meaning
- noble kind
- Origin
- German, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- HY-dee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #340
- US babies 2025
- 894
- Best rank
- #60 (1974)
- Peak year
- 1972
Meaning and origin of Heidi
Heidi is a German and Germanic name that means “noble kind”.
Heidi began as a Swiss German pet form of Adelheid, the German version of Adelaide, from Germanic elements meaning noble and kind or type. Its fame comes from the novel Heidi by the Swiss author Johanna Spyri, the story of a spirited orphan girl who lives with her grandfather in the Alps. The book became a children's classic and was adapted many times for film and television, carrying the name far beyond Switzerland. Heidi has a cheerful, outdoorsy feel. It reads as a mid-century favorite in the United States, and it remains short, friendly and easy to spell in almost any language.
Popularity over time
Heidi first appears in US Social Security records in 1929. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 85 different years, starting in 1939. Its best national rank was #60 in 1974, and the most babies received it in 1972, when 4,723 were named Heidi. In 2025, 894 babies were named Heidi, and it ranked #340 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #520 in 1950, #79 in 1980, #351 in 2000, #303 in 2010, and #340 in 2025. Of the 149,326 US girls named Heidi since records began, 28% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 33,751 babies. Since 2010, 14,390 more have been named Heidi.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Tricia, Kristi, Melanie, Bridget, and Katina.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Heidi ranked highest in Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Arkansas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | #133 | 28 |
| Kentucky | #167 | 27 |
| Arkansas | #171 | 18 |
| West Virginia | #191 | 9 |
| Tennessee | #206 | 38 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Heidi is usually pronounced HY-dee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with H and ends in “-di”.
Middle names for Heidi
A few middle names that flow with Heidi: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Heidi
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Lists that include Heidi
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Heidi mean?
Heidi is a German and Germanic name that means “noble kind”.
What is the origin of the name Heidi?
Heidi has German and Germanic roots. Heidi began as a Swiss German pet form of Adelheid, the German version of Adelaide, from Germanic elements meaning noble and kind or type.
Is Heidi a popular name?
Yes. Heidi ranked #340 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Heidi a boy or girl name?
Heidi is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Heidi?
Heidi is usually pronounced HY-dee. 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