How to say it
HEI · di
ˈhaɪ.di
Feminine
Heidi
Noble
What it means
A German short form of Adelheid (Adelaide), from adal, 'noble.'
Heidi is the German pet form of Adelheid, the same name as Adelaide, built on adal, 'noble.' Johanna Spyri's beloved 1881 novel Heidi, about an orphan in the Swiss Alps, carried the name around the world and wrapped it in mountain-fresh wholesomeness. It is bright and cheerful, and it ties back to the whole noble Adelaide and Adeline family. Said HY-dee.
How to spell Heidi
The standard spelling is Heidi. Common variants include Heidy, Heidie, but Heidi is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #60 in 1974, currently #340 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
A short form of Adelheid (Adelaide), now fully a name on its own.
- Pop culture
Johanna Spyri's novel Heidi is the enduring image.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Heidi the Alpine orphan of Johanna Spyri's classic novel
- Heidi Klum German-American model and television host
Spelling variants
- Heidy
- Heidie
Names with the same feeling
See Heidi from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Heidi mean?
- A German short form of Adelheid (Adelaide), from adal, 'noble.'
- What does Heidi mean in German?
- In German, Heidi means "Noble." Heidi is the German pet form of Adelheid, the same name as Adelaide, built on adal, 'noble.' Johanna Spyri's beloved 1881 novel Heidi, about an orphan in the Swiss Alps, carried the name around the world and wrapped it in mountain-fresh wholesomeness. It is bright and cheerful, and it ties back to the whole noble Adelaide and Adeline family. Said HY-dee.
- Is Heidi short for Adelheid?
- Yes. Heidi is a short form of Adelheid, and it carries the same meaning, "Noble." These days many parents use Heidi as a given name in its own right, not only as a nickname.
- How do you pronounce Heidi?
- Heidi is pronounced ˈhaɪ.di. Say it as HEI-di, with the stress on the "hei" syllable.
- How do you spell Heidi?
- The standard spelling is Heidi. Common spelling variants include Heidy, Heidie.
- Is Heidi a boy or girl name?
- Heidi is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Heidi?
- Heidi ranked #340 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.