Boy · Germanic (via French) · International

Henry

Say it HEN-ree

Meaning today: Ruler of the home, estate ruler
Original meaning: "ruler of the house: heim "home" + rihhi "ruler"" Online Etymology Dictionary, s.v. Henry
Say it: HEN-ree
Other spellings: Henri, Enrique, Heinrich

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Henry

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Henry meaning

Henry is an international boy's name of Germanic origin (via French).

Ruler of the house: heim "home" + rihhi "ruler"

Also used to mean: ruler of the home, estate ruler

Henry comes through French Henri and Late Latin Henricus from the Old High German name Heimerich, which the Online Etymology Dictionary explains as "the ruler of the house", from heim, "home", and rihhi, "ruler". The second part shares its ancient root with Latin rex and Sanskrit rājan, "king". The Normans brought the name to England, where, the Online Etymology Dictionary notes, it became one of the most popular names after the Conquest and was borne by eight English kings, among them Henry V and Henry VIII. Harry was its everyday medieval form, and Hal and Hank are other short forms. It is easy for Indian families to say.

Source: Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com), s.v. Henry · entry Henry · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Online Etymology Dictionary, Henry · Online Etymology Dictionary, ruler