Where does the name Harry come from?

Harry is a boy name of English origin.

Is Harry a boy or a girl name?

Harry is used for both. In U.S. Social Security records, about 0% of children given the name Harry are girls and 100% are boys.

How popular is the name Harry in 2023?

Harry ranks #784 for boys in the U.S. Social Security Administration's 2023 dataset. Its all-time U.S. peak was 1918 with 9,938 babies.

How do you pronounce Harry?

Harry is pronounced HAR-ee (2 syllables).

What are common spellings of Harry?

Harry is also written as Henry, Harrie, Hari.

A name from English · Boy

Harry

Medieval English form of Henry (Germanic 'estate ruler'), used as the everyday form for centuries while Henry stayed formal. Independent since the late Middle Ages.

Compare

Popularity over time

A 143-year arc in numbers.

423,213 U.S. births recorded from 1880–2023.

Popularity · 1880–2023

323 births in 2023

1880 1951 2023

Babies named per year Peak year Most recent

Meaning

A name that means something.

HMedieval English form of Henry (Germanic 'estate ruler'), used as the everyday form for centuries while Henry stayed formal. Independent since the late Middle Ages.

Variants & spellings

3 ways to spell "Harry".

Each transliteration carries a slightly different cultural fingerprint.

Henry Most common Harrie Hari

Famous bearers

People who carry the name Harry.

H
Harry Potter (fictional)
H
Prince Harry (Duke of Sussex)
H
Harry Truman (33rd U.S. president)

Quick answers

People often ask about Harry.

What does the name Harry mean?: Harry means medieval English form of Henry (Germanic 'estate ruler'), used as the everyday form for centuries while Henry stayed formal. Independent since the late Middle Ages.
Where does the name Harry come from?: Harry is a boy name of English origin.
Is Harry a boy or a girl name?: Harry is used for both. In U.S. Social Security records, about 0% of children given the name Harry are girls and 100% are boys.
How popular is the name Harry in 2023?: Harry ranks #784 for boys in the U.S. Social Security Administration's 2023 dataset. Its all-time U.S. peak was 1918 with 9,938 babies.
How do you pronounce Harry?: Harry is pronounced HAR-ee (2 syllables).
What are common spellings of Harry?: Harry is also written as Henry, Harrie, Hari.

Similar names

If you love Harry, also consider…

Nancy

#942

Girl ·English

Originally a medieval pet form of Ann (and of Agnes), ultimately from Hebrew Hannah meaning 'grace, favor'

Betty

#1187

Girl ·English

A pet form of Elizabeth (Hebrew Elisheva, 'my God is an oath' or 'God of plenty'), used independently since the 18th century

Kimberly

#222

Girl ·English

From the South African city Kimberley, itself named for the British colonial secretary Lord Kimberley

Larry

#1012

Boy ·English

A short form of Lawrence, from Latin Laurentius meaning 'from Laurentum' (a city near Rome) or 'crowned with laurel'

Brandon

#219

Boy ·English

From an Old English place name, "broom-covered hill" (brōm + dūn)

A short form of Jerome (Greek Hieronymos, 'sacred name') or of Gerald (Germanic 'rule of the spear')

Evelyn

#9177

Girl ·English

Wished-for child; desired

About this page

Popularity counts come from the U.S. Social Security Administration's national dataset. Meanings and origins are curated from etymological sources. If you spot an error, please let us know.