Henri

♂ Boy

Pronounced ahn-REE /ɑn.ˈʁi/Medium

Meaning: The French form of Henry, from the Germanic name Heimirich combining 'heim' (home) and 'ric' (ruler), giving 'home ruler'.Medium

In 30 seconds: Henri is the French form of Henry, from the Germanic Heimirich, which joins 'heim' (home) and 'ric' (ruler) to mean 'home ruler'.

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Origin MediumFrench, Germanic

MeaningThe French form of Henry, from the Germanic name Heimirich combining 'heim' (home) and 'ric' (ruler), giving 'home ruler'.

U.S. rank (2024)#1592 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births108 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 5,234

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Henri carries the Germanic name Heimirich into French, keeping the meaning 'home ruler' built from 'heim', home, and 'ric', ruler. It was the name of several French kings, which cemented its standing across the French-speaking world. The form is identical in meaning to English Henry but distinct in its softer pronunciation.

The painter Henri Matisse (1869-1954), a leading figure of modern art and a pioneer of Fauvism, is among its best-known bearers. The name also appears across Europe as Henrik, the Finnish Heikki, and the Welsh-flavored Harri.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Henri is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name - Henri — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

HarriHeikkiHenrikkiĤenriHenrik

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Henri Matisse (1869-1954)
French artist regarded as one of the leading figures of modern art and a pioneer of Fauvism.

If you like Henri…

Henry— The English form of the same Germanic name Henri renders in French.

Henrik— A listed Scandinavian form sharing the Heimirich root.

Enrique— The Spanish form of Henry, from the same Germanic origin.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Henri mean?

Henri is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with French tradition.

How do you pronounce Henri?

It's commonly said ahn-REE /ɑn.ˈʁi/.

Is Henri a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Henri is used as a boy name.

How popular is Henri?

In 2024, Henri ranked #1592 in the U.S. for boys, with 108 births recorded.