Heath
Heath is a boy name of English origin meaning “Uncultivated land, heather”, pronounced HEETH. It ranked #932 in the United States in 2025, given to 253 babies, and peaked at #181 in 1974. Common nicknames: Heathy.
How popular is Heath in the United States?
Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
What does Heath mean, and where does it come from?
Heath is the English word for open moorland, from Old English hæth, and it began as a surname for someone who lived on it — the same root that gives heather its name. Emily Brontë used it for half of Heathcliff. Americans took it up in the 1960s, when it belonged to a character on The Big Valley, and it peaked in 1974. Australia gave it the actor Heath Ledger, whose career ensured a generation outside America knows the name. It keeps the particular appeal of a one-syllable nature word that has never sounded invented.
Variations & Nicknames
Variations
Nicknames
Famous People Named Heath
- Heath Ledger — Australian actor and posthumous Academy Award winner for The Dark Knight
- Heath Streak — Zimbabwean cricketer and national captain
- Edward Heath — Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Similar Names to Heath
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Sibling Name Ideas for Heath
Looking for names that pair well with Heath? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Heath mean?
Heath is a boy name of English origin meaning "Uncultivated land, heather." Heath is the English word for open moorland, from Old English hæth, and it began as a surname for someone who lived on it — the same root that gives heather its name. Emily Brontë used it for half of Heathcliff.
How do you pronounce Heath?
Heath is pronounced HEETH. Common variations include Heathe, Heathcliff.
Is Heath a boy name?
Yes, Heath is traditionally a boy name. Popular nicknames include Heathy.