NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Hebe

A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "youth" or "prime of life".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Hebe is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Hebe popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2000, with 14 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2000, with 29 births.

This profile covers 494 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 48% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 491 living people in the UK are called Hebe. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Hebe ranked #2000 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 14 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2000, when 29 girls were registered as Hebe.
  • About 491 living people in the UK are estimated to have Hebe as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2000

2024

Births in 2024

14

Latest year

Peak year

2000

29 births

Estimated living

491

2026

Meaning

What does Hebe mean?

The name Hebe is of Greek origin, derived from the ancient Greek word "hebe" which means "youth" or "prime of life." It dates back to ancient Greek mythology, where Hebe was the goddess of youth, the daughter of Zeus and Hera.

In Greek mythology, Hebe was the cupbearer of the gods, serving them ambrosia and nectar, the drinks that granted immortality. She was depicted as a beautiful and radiant young woman, symbolizing eternal youth and renewal. Her name was often invoked in ceremonies and rituals honoring youth and vitality.

The earliest recorded use of the name Hebe can be found in ancient Greek literature, such as the works of Homer and Hesiod, dating back to the 8th century BCE. The name was popular among the ancient Greeks, who revered youth and beauty.

One of the earliest known individuals named Hebe was Hebe of Argos, a Greek priestess and teacher who lived in the 4th century BCE. She was renowned for her wisdom and her dedication to the cult of Hera, the goddess of marriage and childbirth.

In the 16th century, the Italian Renaissance painter Raphael depicted Hebe in his famous fresco "The Triumph of Galatea" in the Villa Farnesina in Rome. This work of art helped to popularize the name among the European nobility and upper classes.

Another notable Hebe in history was Hebe Tanner (1795-1874), an English novelist and writer who authored several popular novels and travelogues in the 19th century. Her works depicted the social customs and manners of her time.

In the world of classical music, Hebe Haworth (1876-1964) was a renowned English contralto and teacher who performed in many operas and concerts in the early 20th century. She was particularly admired for her interpretations of the works of Handel and Purcell.

Hebe Camargo (1913-2012) was a Brazilian actress and dancer who rose to fame in the 1930s and 1940s. She was known for her sensual and daring performances, which challenged the social norms of the time.

Finally, Hebe Tien (born 1974) is a Taiwanese singer and actress who has had a successful career in both the music and film industries since the 1990s. She is known for her powerful vocals and her ability to tackle diverse roles in television and film.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Hebe over time

The chart below shows babies named Hebe registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Hebe, the clearest high point is 2000. The latest England and Wales figure is 14 births in 2024, compared with 29 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Hebe
07152229199620102024

Decades

Hebe by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Hebe was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #2089 65 5
2010s #2408 112 10
2000s #1161 222 10
1990s #912 95 4

Notable bearers

Famous people named Hebe

  • Hebe Barnard

    miniature painter

    British photographer, miniaturist, and printmaker (1820–1872)

    1820-1872

Related

Names similar to Hebe

FAQ

Hebe: questions and answers

How popular is the name Hebe in the UK right now?

In 2024, Hebe was ranked #2000 for girls in England and Wales, with 14 births registered.

When was Hebe most popular?

The peak year on record was 2000, with 29 babies registered as Hebe in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Hebe?

A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "youth" or "prime of life".

How many people are called Hebe in the UK?

A total of 494 babies have been registered as Hebe across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.