Rising since 1986, #2,719 for girls today.
Popularity of Hera since 1970
Babies named Hera per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 28 |
| 1980s | 30 |
| 1990s | 87 |
| 2000s | 118 |
| 2010s | 330 |
| 2020s | 349 |
Meaning & origin
Hera is a direct mythological name, carrying the legacy of the Greek queen of the gods. Its use in the United States has been consistently rare, first recorded in 1970. As of 2025, the name ranks 2719th, with an incidence of 1 in 25,512 newborns. While it never broke into the top 1000, its trajectory has been rising since 1986, and it reached its peak popularity in 2025. The name is most favored in New York, Texas, and California. For parents drawn to classical mythology, Hera offers a distinctive alternative to more common goddess names like Athena or Diana, though it remains an unconventional choice.
Hera is the name of the queen of the gods in Greek mythology, wife of Zeus and goddess of marriage and childbirth. The name's etymology is debated; it may be connected to the Greek word 'heros' (hero) or 'hora' (season, beautiful time). As a given name, Hera has been used in English-speaking countries since the 18th century, often drawn from classical mythology. Its modern use, especially in the United States, has been rare but has seen a slight uptick since the 1980s.
Where Hera is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Hera” around the world
Where Hera lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Sibling names for Hera
Names that share Hera's style, for a brother or sister.
