Holding steady.
Popularity of Hettie since 1880
Babies named Hettie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Hettie's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 895 |
| 1890s | 1,200 |
| 1900s | 1,037 |
| 1910s | 1,335 |
| 1920s | 1,228 |
| 1930s | 601 |
| 1940s | 449 |
| 1950s | 262 |
| 1960s | 140 |
| 1970s | 69 |
| 1980s | 34 |
| 1990s | 21 |
| 2000s | 12 |
| 2010s | 11 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Hettie, a charming diminutive of Henrietta, enjoyed its heyday in the late 19th century. According to Social Security data, the name first appeared in records in 1880 and reached its peak rank in 1884, when it was a common choice for baby girls. Since then, Hettie has steadily declined in usage, maintaining a stable trajectory with very few births in recent decades. Its top states of popularity have not been recorded due to its historical nature, but it was most fashionable in the 1880s. For parents seeking a vintage nickname name with a sweet, old-fashioned feel, Hettie offers a distinctive alternative to more common revivals like Maisie or Millie.
Hettie originated as a pet form of Henrietta, the feminine form of Henry. Henry derives from the Germanic name Heimirich, composed of heim "home" and ric "ruler, power." The name was introduced to England by the Normans and became a royal name. Hettie was most popular as an independent given name in the late 19th century, peaking in 1884.
Where Hettie is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hetty, Etta
Variants: Hetty
Sibling names for Hettie
Names that share Hettie's style, for a brother or sister.
