Holding steady.
Popularity of Hedi since 1954
Babies named Hedi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 10 |
| 1960s | 24 |
| 1970s | 57 |
| 1980s | 17 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Hedi is a name of German and Hungarian origin, likely a diminutive of Hedwig. Its usage in the United States has been modest; it first appeared in Social Security records in 1954 and reached its peak year in 1968. The name has remained stable over the decades, never entering the top 1000. It has no recorded one-in-N ranking or top states, indicating its rarity across the country. Hedi's trajectory suggests it is a gentle classic with steady but low usage, appealing to parents seeking a name with European heritage.
Hedi is likely a diminutive of Hedwig, which is derived from the Old High German elements 'hadu' meaning 'battle' and 'wig' meaning 'war'. The name Hedwig was common among German and Polish nobility. Hedi may also be a Hungarian pet form of Hedvig, the Hungarian variation of Hedwig. In German-speaking countries, Hedi became an independent given name in the 20th century.
“Hedi” around the world
Where Hedi lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
80
babies in 2024
Quebec
10
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hed
Sibling names for Hedi
Names that share Hedi's style, for a brother or sister.
