Declining since 2006, #3,583 for boys today.
Popularity of Heber since 1881
Babies named Heber per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2005, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Heber's real moment was 1891.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 74 |
| 1890s | 101 |
| 1900s | 66 |
| 1910s | 289 |
| 1920s | 356 |
| 1930s | 188 |
| 1940s | 125 |
| 1950s | 119 |
| 1960s | 90 |
| 1970s | 108 |
| 1980s | 182 |
| 1990s | 289 |
| 2000s | 585 |
| 2010s | 405 |
| 2020s | 186 |
Meaning & origin
Heber peaked in popularity in 1891, when it ranked highest in U.S. records. The name has seen a long decline, especially since 2006, and today appears in only about 1 in 55,099 births. Historically most common in Texas and California, Heber draws from both Hebrew and Irish origins, though its exact meaning remains debated. Its rarity today gives it a distinctive, old-fashioned feel.
Heber appears in the Bible as a descendant of Shem and ancestor of Abraham, though the name is often associated with the Irish mythological figure Éibhear or Éber, son of Míl Espáine. In Ireland, it was historically used as an anglicized form of Éibhear, while in English-speaking contexts it has been used as a variant of Eber. Modern usage is rare, with records in the U.S. dating back to the 1880s.
Where Heber is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Heber
Names that share Heber's style, for a brother or sister.
