The Baby Name Wizard

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Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Henry!

Comments and insights on the name Henry: | Edit

I have a 2-year-old named Henry. I have loved the name since I was a teenager. It suits him very well and I think it's a classic, strong name that fits a child or adult. It has become more popular in the time since he was born, although I was always set on the name, so there was never any doubt as to what we would name him.

Personal experiences with the name Henry: | Edit

Henry is the name of my 2 year old son. I have loved his name for many years and is suits him perfectly. Many people seem to love it, and we have received many compliments on it. For me, Henry is the perfect mix of regal classic and comfy favorite.

Nicknames for Henry: | Edit

Harry, Hank, Hal, Hens, Helo, Hen

Meanings and history of the name Henry: | Edit

German for "ruler of the house"

Famous real-life people named Henry: | Edit

Henry "Hank" Aaron, American baseball player and sports legend
Henry Fielding, English novelist and dramatist (Tom Jones)
Henry Fonda, American actor (Twelve Angry Men)
Henry Ford, American industrialist and founder of Ford Motor Company
Henry Hudson, English explorer for whom New York state's Hudson River, among other landmarks, is named
Henry James, British-American author (Daisy Miller)
Henry Kissinger, German-American diplomat who served as Secretary of State under President Nixon and President Ford
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet (Paul Revere's Ride)
Henry Louis (H.L.) Mencken, American journalist and essayist (The American Language)
Henry Miller, American author (Tropic of Cancer)
Henry Rollins, American musician
Henry David Thoreau, American philosopher, writer, and naturalist (Walden)
Prince Henry of Wales (Prince Harry)
Eight kings of England
Henry Morgan, American actor

Henry in song, story & screen: | Edit

- Henry DeTamble (The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger)
- Henry Huggins (The Ramona books by Beverly Cleary)
- Professor Henry Higgins (Shaw's Pygmalion/My Fair Lady)
- King Henry II (The Lion in Winter, Anouilh's Becket)
- King Henry IV (Shakespeare's Henry IV pts 1 and 2)
- King Henry V (Shakespeare's Henry IV pts 1 and 2 and Henry V)
- King Henry VIII (various)
- Dr. Henry Walton "Indiana" Jones (Indiana Jones)
- Iron Henry (Castle Waiting by Linda Medley)
- Henry (Engine #3 from Thomas the Tank Engine)
- "I'm Henry VIII, I Am," song by Herman's Hermits
- "Henry the Octopus" (The Wiggles' stage shows, tv show, songs, and movies)
- Henry and June, a book and movie based on the lives of literary figures Henry Miller and Anais Nin
- "Roll with Me, Henry", a song by Johnny Otis, Hank Ballard and Etta James, officially titled "The Wall Flower"; also known as "Dance With Me, Henry"
- Henry is the boy in some versions of "A Bicycle Built for Two," which include a response from Daisy to his proposal.
- 'There's a Hole in My Bucket': a conversational song between dear Henry and dear Liza.
- Uncle Henry, "The Wizard of Oz"
- Henry Alden, the oldest of four children in "The Boxcar Children" book series (originally) written by Gertrude Chandler Warner