Heber
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 3,131 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name from Biblical Hebrew.
Heber is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, from the Hebrew cheber meaning 'companion,' 'associate,' or 'one who crosses over' — related to the root abar ('to cross').
Heber appears in the Old Testament as a great-grandson of Noah and ancestor of the Hebrew people — some scholars link the name to the origin of 'Hebrew' itself. It's also a traditional name in the Mormon faith, carried by Heber C. Kimball and Heber J. Grant. A name of ancient depth and quiet dignity.
EtymologyShow more
Though Heber dates back to 1881 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Hebrew classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
Heber’s 3,131 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Heber was #2325 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #3472, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 154 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 405 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 585 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 289 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 182 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 108 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 90 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 119 | — |
| 1940s | 125 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 188 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 356 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 289 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 66 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 101 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 74 | — |
The Story of Heber
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2005, Heber is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Heber are most likely born between 1995 and 2015.
How rare is Heber?
Only about 1 in every 109,091 babies born in 2024 was named Heber — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1881, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2000s with 585 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Heber by the numbers
- Would fill 65 school buses
- Meeting one Heber per day would take 8.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(140 years, 1881–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 33 | #3472 |
| 2023 | 29 | #3827 |
| 2022 | 41 | #3026 |
| 2021 | 28 | #3848 |
| 2020 | 23 | #4320 |
| 2019 | 28 | #3837 |
| 2018 | 30 | #3646 |
| 2017 | 33 | #3408 |
| 2016 | 24 | #4237 |
| 2015 | 38 | #3045 |
| 2014 | 37 | #3058 |
| 2013 | 44 | #2681 |
| 2012 | 60 | #2190 |
| 2011 | 47 | #2600 |
| 2010 | 64 | #2103 |
| 2009 | 58 | #2266 |
| 2008 | 66 | #2097 |
| 2007 | 61 | #2197 |
| 2006 | 69 | #1953 |
| 2005 | 81 | #1664 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heber a boy's or girl's name?
When was Heber most popular?
How popular is the name Heber?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1881–2024