Henry
Henry is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Ruler of the home or estate.
Origin and history
Henry is a classic masculine name of Germanic origin, derived from Heimirich, meaning ruler of the home or estate. It was introduced to England by the Normans and became a staple among English royalty. In the United States, Henry has been a consistently popular name since recording began and remains a top choice for parents today.
Popularity in the United States
768,945 babies in the United States have been named Henry since 1880. It ranks #45 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #7.
States where it is most popular
- NY (8.2 %)
- CA (7.1 %)
- TX (6.5 %)
- PA (4.9 %)
- IL (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 24,139 |
| 1890-1900 | 21,664 |
| 1900-1910 | 21,772 |
| 1910-1920 | 79,667 |
| 1920-1930 | 104,552 |
| 1930-1940 | 70,419 |
| 1940-1950 | 72,488 |
| 1950-1960 | 62,230 |
| 1960-1970 | 39,134 |
| 1970-1980 | 23,511 |
| 1980-1990 | 20,728 |
| 1990-2000 | 25,249 |
| 2000-2010 | 42,760 |
| 2010-2019 | 92,585 |
| 2020-2029 | 68,047 |
Famous people named Henry
- Henry Ford: Industrialist, Inventor
- Henry David Thoreau: Author, Philosopher
- Henry Cavill: Actor
Nicknames
Hank, Harry, Hal
Fun facts
- Eight kings of England have been named Henry, making it one of the most prominent royal names in British history.
- The name Harry originally developed as the spoken English form of Henry during the Middle Ages.