"noble, of noble kind"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Heidi
Pronunciation: [ h-EYED-ee ]
Does Heidi flow with your last name?
The Alps in a name — noble, fresh, and timeless
German
Swiss
Scandinavian
American
Classic
Earthy
Vintage
Playful
Gentle
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Meaning & Origin
"short form of Adelheid (noble natured)"
Origin: Old High German
Language: German
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The Story of Heidi
Heidi is a German pet form of Adelheid (Adelaide), composed of the Old High German 'adal' (noble) and 'heid' (kind, type, sort), meaning 'of noble kind' or 'noble natured.' Adelheid was a popular name among German royalty — Adelaide of Italy was a 10th-century Holy Roman Empress canonized as a saint. The shortened form Heidi became universally known through Johanna Spyri's beloved 1881 Swiss novel about an orphan girl living in the Swiss Alps.
Heidi's popularity in the English-speaking world was driven almost entirely by Spyri's novel and its numerous film adaptations, particularly the beloved 1937 Shirley Temple film. In the US, Heidi peaked in the 1970s and has declined steadily since, now carrying a distinctly retro feel.
Heidi is the quintessential Swiss name internationally — the novel Heidi is Switzerland's most famous cultural export and has been translated into over 50 languages. In Switzerland and German-speaking countries, the name evokes Alpine purity, natural beauty, and warm-hearted simplicity.
Historical Record
Heidi first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 146,965 babies have been named Heidi in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Heidi is past its peak , currently ranked #345 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Johanna Spyri's Heidi (1881) has never gone out of print and has sold over 50 million copies worldwide
- Heidi was Switzerland's nominee for the title of most beloved Swiss novel of the 20th century
- The famous 'Heidi Game' of 1968 refers to an NBC broadcast of a football game that was cut off for the Heidi TV movie
Heidi in Other Languages
French
Heidi
German
Heidi
Italian
Heidi
Spanish
Heidi
Japanese
ハイジ
Swiss German
Heidi
Popularity Over Time
#345
Current Rank
Peaked 1974
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Heidi
H
Heidi Montag
Entertainer
1986
American television personality known for The Hills on MTV
H
Heidi Klum
Entertainer
1973
German-American supermodel, television personality, and businesswoman known for Project Runway and Germany's Next Topmod...
German-American supermodel, television personality, and businesswoman known for Project Runway and Germany's Next Topmodel
H
Heidi (Spyri) Fictional
Other
The cheerful, compassionate Alpine orphan girl protagonist of Johanna Spyri's 1881 Swiss novel, one of the best-selling ...
The cheerful, compassionate Alpine orphan girl protagonist of Johanna Spyri's 1881 Swiss novel, one of the best-selling children's books of all time
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Compare Heidi with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #345
- Total SSA Count
- 901
- Cultural Origins
- German Swiss Scandinavian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Nicknames
Hei
Hey
Heie
Heikins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Heidi
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Heidi is also used as a boy name, ranked #39514.
View Heidi as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Heidi
What does the name Heidi mean?
"noble, of noble kind" (from Germanic). "short form of Adelheid (noble natured)" (from Old High German). Heidi is a German pet form of Adelheid (Adelaide), composed of the Old High German 'adal' (noble) and 'heid' (kind, type, sort), meaning 'of noble kind' or 'noble natured.' Adelheid was a popular name among German royalty — Adelaide of Italy was a 10th-century Holy Roman Empress canonized as a saint. The shortened form Heidi became universally known through Johanna Spyri's beloved 1881 Swiss novel about an orphan girl living in the Swiss Alps.
What is the origin of the name Heidi?
Heidi has Germanic, Old High German, German, Swiss, Scandinavian, and American origins. In Germanic, it means "noble, of noble kind". In Old High German, it means "short form of Adelheid (noble natured)".
Is Heidi a boy or girl name?
Heidi is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #345. As a boy name, it is ranked #39514. Heidi is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Heidi?
Heidi is pronounced h-EYED-ee.
How popular is the name Heidi?
Heidi is currently ranked #345 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Heidi?
Common nicknames for Heidi include Hei, Hey, Heie, and Heikins.
What are good middle names for Heidi?
Popular middle name pairings include Heidi Marie, Heidi Rose, Heidi Claire, Heidi Jo, Heidi Ann, and Heidi Elise.
What are good sibling names for Heidi?
Names that pair well with Heidi as siblings include Greta, Hans, Liesel, Karl, Ingrid, and Franz.
How many syllables does Heidi have?
Heidi has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Heidi a common or rare name?
Heidi is a popular name, ranked #345 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Heidi?
Are there other spellings for Heidi?
Related spellings include Heidy.
About the Name Heidi
Heidi is a girl name with German, Swiss, Scandinavian, and American origins . The name means "noble, of noble kind" in Germanic .
Is Heidi a boy or girl name? Heidi is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #345 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #39,514. Heidi is more commonly used as a girl name.
Heidi is currently ranked #345 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Heidi has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-EYED-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Heidi include Hei, Hey, Heie, and Heikins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Heidi include Heidy . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis