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Henrik

♂ Boy

Pronounced HEN-rik /ˈhɛn.rɪk/High

Meaning: Home ruler; from Germanic Heimirich (heim: home + ric: ruler, power), the Scandinavian form of HenryHigh

In 30 seconds: The Scandinavian form of Henry meaning 'home ruler,' from Germanic Heimirich. Borne by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen — 'the father of modern drama' — it carries one of the most intellectually distinguished names in Scandinavian history.

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Origin HighScandinavian, Germanic

MeaningHome ruler; from Germanic Heimirich (heim: home + ric: ruler, power), the Scandinavian form of Henry

U.S. rank (2025)#1060 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births206 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2018

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,224

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Henrik is the Scandinavian form of Henry, from Germanic Heimirich (heim: home, estate; ric: ruler, power). It has been used in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden since the medieval period. The playwright Henrik Ibsen is its most famous cultural bearer.

Henrik has been appearing on U.S. boys' charts as a Scandinavian alternative to Henry. It ranked #917 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906) wrote A Doll's House (1879) — one of the first plays to portray a woman leaving an unsatisfying marriage — at a time when such themes were revolutionary. The play caused a scandal across Europe and changed the course of Western drama.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Henrik — Scandinavian/Germanic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

HenryHenrykHeinrich

Nicknames

HenriHen

Famous Bearers

★Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906)
Norwegian playwright, often called the 'father of modern drama,' author of A Doll's House, Hedda Gabler, and Ghosts.

If you like Henrik…

Henry— the English form of the same Germanic name

Viggo— Scandinavian masculine name with the same Viking-era feel

Erik— Scandinavian name with the same crisp Nordic character

Leif— Old Norse name with the same Scandinavian cultural heritage

Explore names like Henrik

By themetwo-syllable germanic literary scandinavian

By meaningStrength Royal / Noble

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Henrik mean?

Henrik means 'home ruler,' as the Scandinavian form of Henry, from Germanic Heimirich (heim: home + ric: ruler).

How do you pronounce Henrik?

It's said HEN-rik — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Henrik a boy or girl name?

Henrik is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Henrik?

Henrik ranked #917 for U.S. boys in 2024.