Heron: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#5,693

among boys · ↓1,335 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Heron · -33% vs 2024

How common

1 in 106,755

boys born in 2025

Peak year

2024

24 babies

All-time total

702

#6,530 all-time among boys

First recorded

1916

in Social Security records

Heron popularity over time

702 babies have been named Heron since 1916, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

BoysGirls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	15	15	2	–	#3,235
1920s	–	19	19	2	+27%	#3,615
1930s	–	10	10	1	-47%	#3,892
1940s	–	20	20	2	+100%	#3,512
1950s	–	22	22	2	+10%	#2,879
1960s	–	13	13	1	-41%	#3,420
1970s	–	60	60	6	+362%	#3,376
1980s	–	74	74	7	+23%	#3,491
1990s	–	94	94	9	+27%	#3,937
2000s	–	131	131	13	+39%	#4,175
2010s	11	116	127	13	-3%	#5,375
2020s (to 2025)	5	112	117	20	+54%	#4,358

The story of Heron

Heron is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,693 in 2025 with 16 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1916, 702 American babies have been named Heron. Its peak came in 2024, when 24 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2020s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Heron stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Heron?

The median living Heron is about 21 years old; half are between 8 and 37. An estimated 600 people named Heron are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Heron year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–	16	#5,693
2024	–	–	24	#4,358
2023	5	#16,079	16	#5,757
2022	–	–	21	#4,767
2021	–	–	17	#5,417
2020	–	–	18	#5,109
2019	6	#14,456	13	#6,552
2018	–	–	16	#5,628
2017	–	–	17	#5,375
2016	–	–	8	#9,165
2015	–	–	15	#5,830
2014	–	–	10	#7,763
2013	–	–	12	#6,759
2012	–	–	8	#9,177
2011	5	#17,781	8	#9,064
2010	–	–	9	#8,374
2009	–	–	9	#8,552
2008	–	–	19	#4,962
2007	–	–	10	#7,804
2006	–	–	9	#8,259
2005	–	–	10	#7,321
2004	–	–	21	#4,175
2003	–	–	12	#6,006
2002	–	–	9	#7,256
2001	–	–	15	#4,975
2000	–	–	17	#4,463
1995	–	–	16	#3,937
1990	–	–	5	#8,625
1985	–	–	9	#4,465
1980	–	–	12	#3,491
1975	–	–	6	#5,047
1970	–	–	9	#3,376
1965	–	–	5	#4,144
1960	–	–	–	–
1955	–	–	–	–
1950	–	–	8	#2,879
1945	–	–	5	#3,512
1940	–	–	–	–
1935	–	–	5	#3,892
1930	–	–	5	#4,246
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	6	#4,024
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Heron, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Heron?

The median living Heron is about 21 years old. Half of all living Herons are between 8 and 37 years old.

How many people named Heron are alive today?

An estimated 600 people named Heron are alive in the United States, based on 702 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Heron in 2025?

Heron ranked #5,693 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 16 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Heron?

702 babies have been named Heron in the United States since 1916, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Heron most popular?

Heron peaked in 2024, when 24 newborns received the name.

Is Heron a boy or girl name?

Heron is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 98% of babies with the name.

Is the name Heron rising or falling?

Heron is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Heron

Names that sound and feel close to Heron: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Heron with similar names → More names starting with H →