Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Thoughts on the name Heather?

66 replies

Sorbustree123 · 16/12/2022 08:40

I was surprised to see it barely made it onto last year's list of top 1000 names in the UK, at number 968. Just want to check I'm not missing some other reason for it being so unpopular. Thanks!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
WithOneLook · 16/12/2022 10:21

I'm a Heather (80s baby) and it's been great. I did go through a bit of a phase as a pre-teen of 'its Heather with a T H' because I got a lot of 'Heverr' and I've never been a 'Hev'. Most people call me Heather and the few that have tried shortening have always gone to 'Hez'. Not sure why but I'm not bothered by it either way. I also liked as a pre-teen that all that stuff they sell with names on occasionally had Heather - often enough for it to be exciting and worth looking for!

itssquidstella · 16/12/2022 10:18

It's my name. I was born in the mid-80s. I don't love it tbh; it feels quite frumpy and inelegant. And I loathe its being pronounced 'Hevver'.

BigFishontheTelly · 16/12/2022 10:16

I think Heather is a lovely name. Smile

BigFishontheTelly · 16/12/2022 10:14

I think Heat her is a lovely name.

AsdaYellowTins · 16/12/2022 09:57

i think it is lovely

Els1e · 16/12/2022 09:36

I like it and a friend’s daughter is called Heather. However I wouldn’t choose it. Not sure if it’s my West Country accent or something but it always sounds like heifer when I say it.

CoolCathy12 · 16/12/2022 09:29

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

felulageller · 16/12/2022 09:27

I'm with you. I think it's a timeless name and am surprised it's not used more.

MaryMollyPolly · 16/12/2022 09:05

I think it’s just dated. I was at school with a couple of Heathers, and I was born in the ‘60s. I associate it with other names of that era like Christine, Lesley, Alison, Karen etc.

LadyKenya · 16/12/2022 09:04

I like it. I have only met one girl called Heather. A lovely, less common name.

Blowyourowntrumpet · 16/12/2022 09:01

I love it

TowerStork · 16/12/2022 09:00

I think it's lovely but I like nature-based names like Willow and Rowan in general.

toastofthetown · 16/12/2022 08:48

It’s just dated and out of fashion. The same reason that Kirsty isn’t a popular name any more.

Twizbe · 16/12/2022 08:44

I knew quite a few in sixth form. It seems it had a little boost in popularity around then.

All the ones I knew were really nice people. The only thing I didn't like is that we all called them Hev, which isn't the nicest nickname.

TheBirdintheCave · 16/12/2022 08:43

Nothing wrong with it at all. It was just very popular in the 70s so I think it fell out of favour for that reason like I imagine Sophia and Olivia will at some point.

KangarooKenny · 16/12/2022 08:41

I know two. Can’t see why it’s not used more.