Heather

Pronunciation: HEH-dher (key)

Origin of the name Heather:

Taken from the name of the plant having very small scale-like leaves and purplish-pink flowers. The word is derived from the Old English haddyr (heather, plants of the heath family).

From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. Buy the book

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Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Heather!

Comments and insights on the name Heather: | Edit

Long ago, the moors were very lonely because nothing would grow there. Every plant they asked refused, and the moors were even more desolate than usual. Finally word got around to the plucky little heather who cheerfully volunteered. And ever since, the heather has not only grown but thrived on the moors which are more beautiful and less lonely as a result.

Heather = selfless and caring; survives, thrives even in difficult circumstances

#12 in the Twenty "Whitest" Girls Names in Freakonomics, and #14 in the Most Common Low-Income White Girl Names in Freakonomics

Personal experiences with the name Heather: | Edit

I am a Heather born in 1974. I love my name. It is strong, feminine, caring, kind, emotional, silly and more. In high school there were 7 other Heathers in my graduating class so I am guessing it was popular to name us around 74-75. LOL. Because of the prettiness of my name, I chose to give my girls unique names too. Heathers rock! :)

Nicknames for Heather: | Edit

"HEATH" OR "HEATHY"

Meanings and history of the name Heather: | Edit

The girl's name Heather \he(a)-ther\ is pronounced HEH-ther. It is of Middle English origin. Flower name: an evergreen flowering plant that thrives on peaty barren lands, as in Scotland.

Famous real-life people named Heather: | Edit

Heather Locklear, actress who starred in "Dynasty" and "Melrose Place"
Heather Matarazzo, actress (Welcome to the Dollhouse, The L Word)
Heather Mills, advocate for the disabled and ex-wife of Paul McCartney
Heather Whitestone, Miss America 1995 and the first deaf holder of the title
Heather Graham, actress who starred in "Boogie Nights"

Heather in song, story & screen: | Edit

"Heathers" - movie starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. The Heathers represent the "popular" and uppercrust clique.

In the comic strip "Peanuts", Heather is the name of the Little Red-Haired Girl, the object of Charlie Brown's unrequited crush.

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