UK name, mostly boys
Hedi
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "guide" or "leader".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 3 girls.
Hedi is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Hedi popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3412, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2018, with 5 births.
This profile covers 8 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2017 to 2018. 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.
Hedi is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 8 living people in the UK are called Hedi. 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 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Hedi ranked #3412 for boys in England and Wales in 2018, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2018, when 5 boys were registered as Hedi.
- • Hedi is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 8 living people in the UK are estimated to have Hedi as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 72.7% of Hedi registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3412
2018
Births in 2018
5
Latest year
Peak year
2018
5 births
Estimated living
8
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Hedi
In England and Wales birth records, Hedi has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 72.7% of registrations are for boys and 27.3% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Hedi registered for boys
- Ranked #3,412 in 2018
- 5 boys registered in 2018
- Peak: 2018 (5 births)
Hedi registered for girls
- Ranked #5,785 in 2011
- 3 girls registered in 2011
- Peak: 2011 (3 births)
Meaning
What does Hedi mean?
The name Hedi originates from the Arabic language and is believed to have its roots in the Middle East region, dating back to the 7th century. The name is derived from the Arabic word "huda," which means "guidance" or "direction," suggesting that the name may have been given to individuals who were seen as leaders or guides within their communities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hedi can be found in the medieval Arabic literature, where it was mentioned in various texts and manuscripts. Some scholars suggest that the name may have been influenced by the Islamic faith, as the concept of guidance plays a significant role in the religion.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Hedi. One of the most prominent figures was Hedi Chaker (1926-2020), a Tunisian politician and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Tunisia from 1986 to 1987. He was known for his efforts in promoting economic reforms and modernization in the country.
Another influential person with the name Hedi was Hedi Annabi (1944-2021), a Tunisian diplomat who served as the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization from 2009 to 2017. He played a crucial role in promoting sustainable tourism and advocating for the industry's contribution to economic growth and development.
In the field of literature, Hedi Bouraoui (born 1932) is a notable Tunisian-Canadian writer and poet. He is celebrated for his works that explore themes of identity, cultural diversity, and the immigrant experience. Bouraoui's literary contributions have earned him numerous awards and recognition.
Hedi Slimane (born 1968) is a French fashion designer and photographer who has made a significant impact on the fashion industry. He has served as the creative director for various renowned fashion houses, including Yves Saint Laurent and Celine, and is known for his distinctive aesthetic and innovative designs.
Hedi Nouira (1911-1993) was a Tunisian politician and activist who played a crucial role in the Tunisian independence movement. He served as the President of the Tunisian National Assembly and was a prominent figure in the country's struggle for independence from French colonial rule.
While the name Hedi may have originated in the Middle East, it has transcended cultural boundaries and gained recognition worldwide, with individuals from various backgrounds and professions carrying this name throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Hedi over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Hedi in England and Wales, from 2011 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Hedi, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2018, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Hedi by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Hedi 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4112 | 8 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Hedi
- Harry 141,693
- Henry 65,177
- Harrison 45,958
- Harvey 35,648
- Harley 22,095
- Hugo 18,779
- Hayden 12,622
- Hunter 10,350
- Hudson 9,104
- Hamza 8,564
- Hassan 5,982
- Hasan 3,599
FAQ
Hedi: questions and answers
How popular is the name Hedi in the UK right now?
In 2018, Hedi was ranked #3412 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Hedi most popular?
The peak year on record was 2018, with 5 babies registered as Hedi in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Hedi?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "guide" or "leader".
How many people are called Hedi in the UK?
A total of 8 babies have been registered as Hedi across the 2 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.