Harry Boy

Popularity: #624 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HAIR-ee //ˈhæri//

Origin: English; German; Hebrew

Meaning: English: Army ruler; German: Home ruler; Hebrew: Gift of God

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Harry is derived from the Old High German name "Heimirich," which means "home ruler." This name evolved through various linguistic stages, transitioning to the Old French "Henri" before entering the English language as "Harry." The adoption of Harry into English can be traced back to the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Norman names were introduced into the English lexicon, significantly influencing the naming conventions of the time. Historically, the name Harry has been borne by several notable figures, most prominently King Henry V of England, who reigned in the early 15th century and is celebrated for his military successes during the Hundred Years' War.

The name also appears in literature, notably in Shakespeare's plays, where characters such as Prince Harry (Henry IV) are depicted, further embedding the name in cultural consciousness. The use of Harry as a diminutive of Henry became widespread, particularly in the medieval period, and it has been associated with various English monarchs, including Henry VIII, who ruled in the 16th century.

Culturally, the name Harry has come to symbolize qualities such as leadership and bravery, often associated with the heroic narratives of English history. The name's enduring presence in literature and royal lineage has contributed to its lasting significance.

Additionally, the name has been linked to various saints, including Saint Henry, a Holy Roman Emperor canonized in the 12th century, which further enriched its historical and cultural resonance. Overall, the name Harry reflects a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical milestones, and cultural significance that has allowed it to persist through the centuries.

Famous people named Harry

In this section, you will find notable people named Harry. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Harry who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Harry who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Harry Potter is a fictional character best known for the Harry Potter book series and film adaptations.

Harry Styles is a singer and actor best known for his work with One Direction, as well as his solo albums Fine Line and Harry's House.

Harry Belafonte is a singer and actor best known for his hit song 'Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)' and his activism.

Harry Connick Jr. is a musician and actor best known for his jazz music and roles in films like Hope Floats and Independence Day: Resurgence.

Harry Dean Stanton is an actor best known for his roles in Paris, Texas, and Repo Man.

Harry Hamlin is an actor best known for his role in L.A. Law and appearances in the reality show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Harry McCracken is a journalist best known for his work with PC World and Fast Company.

Harry Reid is a former U.S. President known for his leadership in the Senate and significant legislative achievements.

Harry Anderson is an actor and magician best known for his role in Night Court and his appearances on television magic specials.

Harry Enfield is a comedian and actor best known for his work on Harry Enfield and Chums and Kevin & Perry Go Large.

Fictional characters named Harry

The following list of fictional characters named Harry is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Harry Potter is a fictional character from the book series Harry Potter. He is a young wizard who attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and is known for his role in the fight against the dark wizard Voldemort.

Harry Callahan is a fictional character from the film series Dirty Harry. He is a tough, no-nonsense police inspector known for his unorthodox methods and iconic catchphrase, 'Do you feel lucky?'.

Harry Angel is a fictional character from the novel Falling Angel and its film adaptation Angel Heart. He is a private investigator who becomes embroiled in a dark mystery involving voodoo and the supernatural.

Harry Dresden is a fictional character from the book series The Dresden Files. He is a professional wizard and private investigator who deals with supernatural threats in modern-day Chicago.

Harry Osborn is a fictional character from the Spider-Man comic book series. He is the best friend of Peter Parker and often struggles with his identity and legacy as the son of the Green Goblin.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Harry, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

JamesOliverGeorgeWilliamThomasEdward

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Harry. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

HenryHaroldHarrisonHankHalHarrisHugoHarlan

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Harry was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Harry has ranked as high as #36 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Illinois, and New Jersey.

In the past 5 years the name Harry has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Harry is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Harry was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Harry.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 329 329 0
2024 324 324 0
2023 323 323 0
2022 381 381 0
2021 359 359 0
2020 345 345 0
2019 414 414 0
2018 428 428 0
2017 401 401 0
2016 377 377 0
2015 302 302 0
2014 337 337 0
2013 331 331 0
2012 325 325 0
2011 324 324 0
2010 364 364 0
2009 384 384 0
2008 381 381 0
2007 445 445 0
2006 414 414 0
2005 459 459 0
2004 447 447 0
2003 447 447 0
2002 438 438 0
2001 454 454 0
2000 442 442 0
1999 460 460 0
1998 482 482 0
1997 449 449 0
1996 482 482 0
1995 508 508 0
1994 551 551 0
1993 567 567 0
1992 644 644 0
1991 635 635 0
1990 628 628 0
1989 747 747 0
1988 680 672 8
1987 716 711 5
1986 675 675 0
1985 786 778 8
1984 735 728 7
1983 763 752 11
1982 775 767 8
1981 840 835 5
1980 867 859 8
1979 923 914 9
1978 923 912 11
1977 958 949 9
1976 975 965 10
1975 1,087 1,074 13
1974 1,092 1,077 15
1973 1,210 1,203 7
1972 1,347 1,334 13
1971 1,538 1,530 8
1970 1,707 1,696 11
1969 1,637 1,626 11
1968 1,789 1,777 12
1967 1,888 1,877 11
1966 2,002 1,993 9
1965 2,121 2,111 10
1964 2,409 2,398 11
1963 2,508 2,495 13
1962 2,628 2,620 8
1961 2,767 2,749 18
1960 3,046 3,024 22
1959 3,286 3,271 15
1958 3,605 3,589 16
1957 3,821 3,806 15
1956 3,940 3,925 15
1955 4,155 4,139 16
1954 4,369 4,354 15
1953 4,593 4,580 13
1952 5,009 4,993 16
1951 5,318 5,303 15
1950 5,393 5,375 18
1949 5,560 5,544 16
1948 5,965 5,945 20
1947 6,530 6,515 15
1946 6,050 6,027 23
1945 5,671 5,650 21
1944 5,500 5,478 22
1943 5,743 5,720 23
1942 5,649 5,629 20
1941 5,081 5,056 25
1940 4,698 4,681 17
1939 4,677 4,661 16
1938 4,843 4,824 19
1937 4,837 4,814 23
1936 4,955 4,931 24
1935 5,087 5,054 33
1934 5,119 5,099 20
1933 5,162 5,134 28
1932 5,746 5,706 40
1931 6,080 6,045 35
1930 6,891 6,847 44
1929 7,204 7,144 60
1928 7,664 7,604 60
1927 8,075 8,019 56
1926 8,268 8,216 52
1925 8,655 8,610 45
1924 9,158 9,115 43
1923 9,313 9,261 52
1922 9,120 9,077 43
1921 9,785 9,731 54
1920 9,452 9,406 46
1919 9,029 8,990 39
1918 9,938 9,896 42
1917 8,891 8,856 35
1916 8,523 8,476 47
1915 8,497 8,470 27
1914 6,612 6,588 24
1913 5,480 5,458 22
1912 4,648 4,624 24
1911 2,550 2,538 12
1910 1,987 1,978 9
1909 1,933 1,924 9
1908 1,941 1,934 7
1907 1,824 1,813 11
1906 1,645 1,631 14
1905 1,631 1,619 12
1904 1,731 1,722 9
1903 1,656 1,647 9
1902 1,761 1,750 11
1901 1,602 1,594 8
1900 2,279 2,272 7
1899 1,732 1,732 0
1898 2,134 2,129 5
1897 1,888 1,879 9
1896 2,102 2,091 11
1895 2,143 2,128 15
1894 2,199 2,189 10
1893 2,264 2,245 19
1892 2,471 2,460 11
1891 2,141 2,132 9
1890 2,357 2,345 12
1889 2,564 2,559 5
1888 2,772 2,759 13
1887 2,070 2,057 13
1886 2,272 2,257 15
1885 2,209 2,198 11
1884 2,338 2,323 15
1883 2,116 2,110 6
1882 2,246 2,232 14
1881 2,002 2,002 0
1880 2,158 2,152 6

Top States for Harry (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 46
16%
NY 35
13%
FL 23
8%
TX 19
7%
NJ 16
6%
MA 13
5%
IL 12
4%
MI 12
4%
GA 10
4%
NC 10
4%
IN 8
3%
PA 8
3%
TN 8
3%
MO 8
3%
VA 8
3%
CT 7
3%
OH 6
2%
WI 5
2%
KS 5
2%
AZ 5
2%
SC 5
2%
MN 5
2%
WA 5
2%