The name Henri is of French origin and means "home ruler" or "estate owner". It is derived from the Germanic name Heinrich, which comes from the elements haim, meaning "home", and ric, meaning "powerful". Throughout history, Henri has been a popular choice for royalty and nobility. The most famous bearer of this name is undoubtedly Henry VIII, the English king who reigned during the 16th century. Other notable figures include Henri IV, the first Bourbon king of France, and Henri Matisse, the renowned French painter. Despite its historic significance, Henri remains a timeless and elegant choice for parents seeking a classic yet distinctive name for their child.
The name Henri has been given to babies born in the United States for over a century, with the first recorded birth being in 1885. Since then, there have been peaks and valleys in its popularity.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Henri was not among the most popular names. Between 1885 and 1924, there were fewer than 37 births each year. However, starting from 1926, the number of babies named Henri began to rise significantly, with yearly birth counts ranging between 29 and 46.
The name reached its first peak in popularity during the mid-1950s, with 46 births recorded in 1956. This trend continued into the early 1970s, with an average of around 30 to 40 births per year.
However, from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, there was a decline in popularity for Henri, with fewer than 35 births recorded annually. But like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the name started gaining traction again in the mid-1990s.
Between 1996 and 2023, Henri has seen remarkable growth in its popularity. The number of babies named Henri increased steadily, reaching an all-time high of 147 births in 2021. This trend continued into 2022 with 142 births, followed by 129 births in 2023.
Over the past 138 years, a total of 5122 babies have been named Henri in the United States. This steady increase in popularity over time indicates that this classic name continues to appeal to parents and remains relevant in today's naming landscape.