Hedy is of Hebrew origin, meaning "joy" or "delight". It is predominantly used as a female given name, though it can also be used for males. The name Hedy is often associated with the notable Austrian actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr, who was known for her work in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s. The name has gained popularity over time due to its unique sound and connection to the famous figure.
The name Hedy was popular during the early to mid-20th century, with a significant spike starting from the late 1930s until the late 1950s. The peak year for the name was 1941, with 102 births. After the 1950s, the popularity of the name gradually declined, with fewer than 20 births per year from the late 1960s onwards. In recent years, there have been around 5-10 births per year with the name Hedy, with a total of 2301 births recorded over the entire period.