Harry is a classic, timeless given name of Germanic origin that has been popular for centuries. It is derived from the German name Henri, which itself stems from the Germanic elements "hari" meaning "army" and "mann" translating to "man". This gives Harry the meaning of "home ruler", reflecting its historic roots in the ranks of nobility.
The name Harry was brought into prominence during medieval times due to several notable figures bearing it. One of the most famous is King Henry VIII of England, who ruled from 1509 until his death in 1547. His six wives and significant impact on English politics and religion have made him a well-known figure in history.
The name Harry has been used by various other notable individuals throughout history, including authors like Harry Crews and Harry Harrison, explorer Henry Stanley who famously uttered the words "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?", and even a few U.S. presidents with Harry Truman among them. These figures have contributed to the name's enduring popularity.
In literature, Harry is perhaps most famously associated with J.K. Rowling's iconic character Harry Potter from her series of fantasy novels. This has led to an increase in the name's usage in recent decades, particularly for boys born during and after the books' release.
Harry is also a popular choice as a diminutive or nickname for more formal given names such as Harold, Henry, or even Horatio. It has a friendly, approachable quality that makes it suitable for use across different age groups.
Overall, Harry is a strong, traditional name with a rich history and many notable figures to its credit. Its meaning, origins, and popularity make it an appealing choice for parents looking for a classic yet engaging name for their child.
The name Harry has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years, with significant peaks and troughs. Between 1880 and 1946, there were periods where Harry was quite popular, reaching as high as 60 births per year in 1928 and 1929. However, from 1947 onwards, the popularity of the name Harry began to decline steadily, dropping below 20 births per year by 1950 and remaining relatively low throughout the rest of the century. The most recent data shows that in 1987 and 1988, there were only 5 and 8 births named Harry respectively, indicating a continued decline in popularity for this name. Overall, from 1880 to 1988, there have been a total of 2017 babies named Harry.