Henri is a classic and timeless French given name that has been used for centuries. The name Henri is derived from the German name Heinrich, which in turn comes from theFrankish name Haimrich. This name consists of two elements: "haim," meaning "home" or "estate," and "-ric," which means "powerful" or "strong."
The name Henri first appeared in France during the Middle Ages and was popular among the nobility due to its association with powerful and influential figures such as Henry II, King of France from 1547 to 1559. Over time, the name Henri became a staple among French royalty, with many kings, princes, and dukes bearing this name.
Throughout history, notable figures named Henri have included Henri IV, also known as Henry of Navarre, who ruled France from 1589 to 1610 and was famous for his religious toleration; Henri Matisse, a leading figure of the French Fauvism movement in painting; and Henri Poincaré, a renowned mathematician and theoretical physicist.
Today, Henri remains a popular choice among parents in France and other francophone countries. It is often paired with names like Louis, Charles, or Théophile to create elegant-sounding combinations such as Henri Louis, Charles Henri, or Henri Théophile.
In English-speaking countries, the name Henry has been more commonly used than Henri, though both versions of the name are considered classic choices for boys. Both Henri and Henry have consistently ranked among the top 1000 most popular baby boy names in the United States over recent decades.
Overall, the name Henri is a strong and noble choice with deep roots in French history and culture. Its meaning and origins make it an attractive option for parents looking to give their son a traditional yet distinctive name.
Based on the statistical data provided regarding the name Henri in the United States, we can observe several trends over time.
From 1904 to 1932, there was a significant fluctuation in the number of births for babies named Henri. The highest year during this period was 1925 with 17 births, while the lowest was 6 births each in 1929 and 1931.
There was a slight increase from 1934 to 1939, with the number of births ranging between 8 and 14 per year. However, there was a notable spike in 1940 with 21 births.
The post-WWII era (1940s to early 1950s) saw another fluctuation, with birth numbers varying from 8 to 22. The peak during this period was in 1947 with 22 births.
From the mid-1950s onwards, there was a consistent decline in the number of Henri births until the late 1960s. The lowest point during this time was in 1961 with only 6 births.
After a brief increase in the early 1980s (6 births each in 1964 and 1967), there was another consistent decline, reaching a low of 5 births in 1993.
Since 2012, there has been a slight recovery, with numbers ranging from 5 to 9 births per year. The most recent data shows that there were 8 Henri births in both 2021 and 2022.
In total, based on the available statistics, there have been 654 births of children named Henri in the United States since 1904. This information provides insight into the historical popularity and trends of the name Henri over time in the U.S.