Declining since 2017, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Hedy since 1915
Babies named Hedy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 38 |
| 1920s | 180 |
| 1930s | 211 |
| 1940s | 796 |
| 1950s | 454 |
| 1960s | 239 |
| 1970s | 99 |
| 1980s | 59 |
| 1990s | 37 |
| 2000s | 65 |
| 2010s | 90 |
| 2020s | 48 |
Meaning & origin
Hedy is a name that recalls the classic Hollywood era, thanks largely to actress Hedy Lamarr, who brought it into the spotlight. First recorded in 1915, Hedy reached its peak popularity in 1941, a time when short, lively names were in vogue. Since 2017, its usage has been gradually declining, and in 2025 it ranked 11,932, with only 1 in 229,610 newborns receiving the name. While not currently widely used, Hedy carries a vintage charm that could appeal to parents seeking an uncommon but recognizable choice.
Hedy is most commonly understood as a short form of the German name Hedwig, which derives from the Old High German elements 'hadu' (battle) and 'wig' (war). The name Hedwig was borne by several European royals and saints, and its diminutive Hedy gained independent use in English-speaking countries in the early 20th century. The name saw a spike in popularity following the fame of actress Hedy Lamarr in the 1940s.
“Hedy” around the world
Where Hedy lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Hedy
Names that share Hedy's style, for a brother or sister.
