Henry
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Ruler of the home; estate ruler
Origin: Old Germanic Heimirich — from haim (home) + ric (ruler, power)
Popularity: Ranked #5 in 2025 with 12,020 babies born.
History: Henry has worn more crowns than almost any other name. Eight kings of England bore it, including the infamous Henry VIII. It was the name of four French kings, Holy Roman Emperors, and U.S. Presidents. After slipping through the mid-20th century it returned triumphantly in the 2000s, carried by its crisp sound and undeniable gravitas. Harry is the beloved nickname that makes it feel accessible and warm.
Famous people named Henry: Henry Ford (industrialist), Henry Cavill (actor), Prince Harry — Henry (British royal), Henry David Thoreau (author)
Name length: 5 letters
How common is Henry? About 1 in 276 babies born in 2025 were named Henry, or roughly 33 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Henry
What does the name Henry mean?
Henry means “Ruler of the home; estate ruler” from Old Germanic Heimirich — from haim (home) + ric (ruler, power) roots.
What is the origin of the name Henry?
Henry has Old Germanic Heimirich — from haim (home) + ric (ruler, power) origin. The traditional meaning is “Ruler of the home; estate ruler”.
How popular is Henry?
Henry ranked #5 in 2025 — given to 12,020 babies that year.
When was Henry most popular?
Henry peaked in 2025 with 12,020 babies registered that year.
Is Henry a boy or girl name?
Henry is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Henrys in registered births are male.
Is the name Henry rising or falling in popularity?
Henry has risen 7998 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #8003 in 2020 to #5 in 2025.
How long has Henry been recorded?
Henry appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.