Heber Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Heber is a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'to traverse' or 'to cross over.' It has evolved through various historical forms, from its Hebrew roots to Latin and Old French variations. The name is associated with biblical lineage and carries traits of strength and heritage. It has biblical relevance through its connection to the descendants of Eber, an important figure in the biblical narrative.
The name Heber is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Heber has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Heber' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1097th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1653rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2494th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3159th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2751st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2222nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3457th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Heber' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Heber"
Pronunciation
/ˈhiːbər/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Heber comes from the Hebrew name 'Heber' (עֵבֶר), which means 'to traverse' or 'to cross over.' In biblical contexts, it is often associated with the idea of being an 'Eberite' or descendant of Eber.
Meaning
to traverse, to cross over
Language Evolution
Hebrew: עֵבֶר (Ever), Latin: Heberus, Old French: Heber, Middle English: Heber
Biblical Background
Heber is mentioned in the Bible as a descendant of Shem, the son of Noah. He is considered the ancestor of the Hebrew people.
Historical Usage
The name Heber gained popularity among Jewish communities and in Christian contexts, particularly during the Middle Ages, as biblical names were often adopted.
Variants & Derivatives
Eber, Heberus, Heberth
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Heber is less common but retains a strong connection to biblical heritage and is viewed positively for its historical significance.
Famous People
Heber C. Kimball, an early leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Heber J. Grant, a president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Explore More Heber Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Heber"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Heber"
"Heber" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1097th of 7545 | 645 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1653rd of 6773 | 336 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2494th of 7552 | 204 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3159th of 10718 | 167 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2751st of 16616 | 354 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2222nd of 24088 | 854 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3457th of 23106 | 388 |
Regional Popularity of "Heber" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
74.79% 1059th/1416 |
86.58% 1194th/1379 |
57.82% 1368th/2366 |
42.38% 484th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
89.72% 2111th/2353 |
49.39% 764th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
64.38% 2265th/3518 |
49.95% 2020th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
35.77% 1858th/5194 |
26.37% 1666th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
27.25% 1993rd/7313 |
16.29% 1216th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
51.19% 3492nd/6822 |
41.81% 2624th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Heber" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Heber"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Heber" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.