Harry
Harry is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Home ruler or ruler of the estate.
Origin and history
Harry originated as the Middle English spoken form of Henry, derived from the Germanic name Heimirich meaning home ruler. It was long considered a traditional English name with strong royal associations. In the United States, it was exceptionally popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and remains a well-known classic.
Popularity in the United States
423,866 babies in the United States have been named Harry since 1880. It ranks #79 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #715.
States where it is most popular
- PA (14.2 %)
- NY (9.6 %)
- OH (5.8 %)
- IL (5.3 %)
- NJ (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 22,649 |
| 1890-1900 | 21,330 |
| 1900-1910 | 17,906 |
| 1910-1920 | 65,874 |
| 1920-1930 | 86,183 |
| 1930-1940 | 53,115 |
| 1940-1950 | 56,245 |
| 1950-1960 | 43,335 |
| 1960-1970 | 22,670 |
| 1970-1980 | 11,654 |
| 1980-1990 | 7,524 |
| 1990-2000 | 5,406 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,311 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,603 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,061 |
Famous people named Harry
- Harry S. Truman: U.S. President, Politician
- Harry Houdini: Illusionist, Magician
- Harry Styles: Singer, Songwriter
Nicknames
Hal, Hank
Fun facts
- In medieval England, Harry was the standard spoken pronunciation of Henry, leading many English kings named Henry to be called Harry colloquially.
- Harry S. Truman served as the 33rd President of the United States, bringing notable historical prominence to the name in modern American history.