Henry Name Meaning

Henry is a very common French name for boys. It’s believed to be derived from the French name Henri, which in turn is thought to be derived from the name Heimeric, an old German name that means “house ruler.” The old German name is made up of two parts: heim, which means "home" and ric, which means "ruler."  Henry is also a common surname in Ireland and France.

Even though it’s usually traced to French and German roots, the exact origin of the name is often debated. The most famous person with the name might be Henry VIII, the controversial Tudor King of England who ruled from 1509 to 1547. He is most known for his six wives, two of which were beheaded.

Henry is typically considered a masculine name. Harriet and Henrietta are often considered feminine variants of this name. Henry and its variants have been given to several kings and noblemen across Europe. It was introduced to England by the Normans where it was subsequently given to eight English kings.

How Popular Is the Name Henry? 

Henry and other variations of this name are very popular. Its variant Harry was so common in England that the phrase "every Tom, Dick, and Harry" is often used to refer to a general group of men.

Henry is particularly popular in the United States and English-speaking countries across the world. In 2007, it was on the top 100 most popular names for boys list in Australia, England, Wales, and the United States. In 2023, Henry ranked as the No. 8 most popular boy's name in the US.

Name Variations 

A common variant of the name Henry people is Harry or Herry; Harry is sometimes also used a less formal nickname for people named Henry. The name was a spoken form of Henry in medieval England during which time many English kings named Henry were also called Harry. 

Henry also has several name variations from cultures all across the world. Some of the most popular include: 

• Anri (Georgian) 
• Einri (Irish) 
• Enric (Catalan) 
• Enrico (Italian) 
• Genrikh (Russian) 
• Harri (Welsh) 
• Harry (English) 
• Heimirich (German)
• Heiner (German) 
• Heinrich (German)
• Hendry (Scottish) 
• Henrik (Danish, Armenian, Swedish) 
• Henrikas (Lithuanian) 
• Henrique (Portuguese)
• Henryk (Polish) 
• Hinrik (Icelandic) 
• Indrikis (Latvian) 

Similar Names

If you like the name Henry but are still on the fence, consider some other names that have a similar feel:

• Arthur 
• Benjamin 
• Charles 
• Finn 
• Jack 
• James 
• Leo 
• Oliver 
• Owen 
• Samuel 
• Theodore 
• William 

Suggested Sibling Names

Some potential sibling names for Henry may include:

• Alexandra
• Amelie
• Edward
• Eleanor
• George
• Noah
• William

Famous People Named Henry    

Several notable people have been given the name Henry. Celebrities like Julia Roberts and Heidi Klum have named their sons Henry. 

If you are thinking of naming your baby Henry, here are some inspiring people who your baby will share a name with:

• Henry Cavill, British actor 
• Henry Czerny, Canadian stage and television actor 
• Henry Fonda, American actor 
• Henry Ford, American automobile manufacturer 
• Henry Hudson, arctic naval explorer 
• Henry J. Heinz, founder of Heinz Ketchup company 
• Henry James, British novelist 
• Henry Winkler, American actor and producer 
• William Henry ("Bill") Gates, businessman, philanthropist, and co-founder of Microsoft
• Prince Henry Charles Albert David, Duke of Sussex, known as Prince Harry, member of the British royal family