Henri Unisex

Popularity: #843 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ahn-REE /ɑ̃ʁi/

Origin: French; Germanic

Meaning: Ruler of the home; estate ruler

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Henri is of French origin, derived from the Old High German name Haimric, which is composed of the elements 'haim,' meaning 'home' or 'house,' and 'ric,' meaning 'ruler' or 'king.' This name evolved through various linguistic stages, transitioning from Haimric to the Old French Henri, which was adopted into English as Henry. The name has been used in various forms across different cultures, including Heinrich in German and Enrico in Italian, showcasing its widespread appeal and adaptability throughout history.

Historically, the name Henri has been borne by numerous significant figures, particularly in French history. One notable example is King Henri IV of France, who reigned from 1589 to 1610 and is remembered for his efforts to unify France and promote religious tolerance.

The name also appears in the context of the French Revolution, with Henri being a common name among the nobility and clergy during that tumultuous period. Additionally, the name has been associated with various saints, including Saint Henri, who was a Holy Roman Emperor in the 11th century and is venerated in both the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.

Culturally, the name Henri has resonated through literature, art, and music, often symbolizing nobility, leadership, and strength. It has been featured in various works, including the plays of Shakespeare, where the English variant Henry appears prominently.

The name's enduring legacy is also reflected in its diminutive form, Henriette, which has been used in various cultural contexts. Overall, the name Henri carries with it a rich historical and cultural significance, representing a lineage of rulers and influential figures throughout the centuries.

Famous people named Henri

In this section, you will find notable people named Henri. 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 Henri who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Henri 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.

Henri Matisse is a painter best known for The Dance, Woman with a Hat, and The Snail.

Henri Cartier-Bresson is a photographer best known for The Decisive Moment, Behind the Gare Saint-Lazare, and his work with Magnum Photos.

Henri Poincaré is a mathematician best known for his contributions to topology, celestial mechanics, and the foundations of dynamical systems.

Henri Rousseau is a painter best known for The Dream, The Sleeping Gypsy, and The Fight Between Carnival and Lent.

Henri Alleg is a journalist best known for his book La Question, which exposed torture during the Algerian War.

Henri Verneuil is a film director best known for The Sicilian Clan, The Brain, and The French Connection II.

Henri Lefebvre is a philosopher best known for his works on the critique of everyday life and the production of space.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is a painter best known for his posters of the Moulin Rouge, At the Moulin Rouge, and The Dance at the Moulin Rouge.

Henri Nouwen is a theologian and author best known for The Wounded Healer, Life of the Beloved, and The Return of the Prodigal Son.

Fictional characters named Henri

The following list of fictional characters named Henri 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.

Henri is a fictional character from the novel The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. He is a loyal servant who plays a significant role in supporting the protagonist, Edmond Dantès, during his quest for revenge.

Sibling suggestions

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

LouisJulienGabrielVictorMathieuCharles

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Henri. 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.

HenryHarryHendrikHankHugoHarrisonHectorHenderson

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Henri was first seen in the United States in 1885.

Henri has ranked as high as #2630 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in California, New York, Massachusetts, Texas, and Florida.

In the past 5 years the name Henri has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Henri 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 Henri 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 Henri.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 95 95 0
2024 113 108 5
2023 129 129 0
2022 151 143 8
2021 154 149 5
2020 103 103 0
2019 140 131 9
2018 125 118 7
2017 113 113 0
2016 128 120 8
2015 110 104 6
2014 98 98 0
2013 95 95 0
2012 97 91 6
2011 96 96 0
2010 65 65 0
2009 91 91 0
2008 81 81 0
2007 73 73 0
2006 75 75 0
2005 68 68 0
2004 77 77 0
2003 66 66 0
2002 62 62 0
2001 59 59 0
2000 49 49 0
1999 51 51 0
1998 61 61 0
1997 61 61 0
1996 52 52 0
1995 35 35 0
1994 39 39 0
1993 51 46 5
1992 37 37 0
1991 35 35 0
1990 32 32 0
1989 42 42 0
1988 31 31 0
1987 31 31 0
1986 34 28 6
1985 34 34 0
1984 31 31 0
1983 30 30 0
1982 28 28 0
1981 28 28 0
1980 34 34 0
1979 35 35 0
1978 21 21 0
1977 29 29 0
1976 20 20 0
1975 24 24 0
1974 32 32 0
1973 32 32 0
1972 27 27 0
1971 32 32 0
1970 37 37 0
1969 26 26 0
1968 21 21 0
1967 45 39 6
1966 38 38 0
1965 40 32 8
1964 39 30 9
1963 41 41 0
1962 26 26 0
1961 45 39 6
1960 52 42 10
1959 38 25 13
1958 49 34 15
1957 42 32 10
1956 53 46 7
1955 42 33 9
1954 53 41 12
1953 56 39 17
1952 44 31 13
1951 46 33 13
1950 62 46 16
1949 36 23 13
1948 43 27 16
1947 47 25 22
1946 46 32 14
1945 39 26 13
1944 43 25 18
1943 48 32 16
1942 44 30 14
1941 40 24 16
1940 46 25 21
1939 30 22 8
1938 43 29 14
1937 33 20 13
1936 29 19 10
1935 34 24 10
1934 47 35 12
1933 24 24 0
1932 33 24 9
1931 39 33 6
1930 48 39 9
1929 39 33 6
1928 41 36 5
1927 38 29 9
1926 48 37 11
1925 46 29 17
1924 42 32 10
1923 36 28 8
1922 32 23 9
1921 40 30 10
1920 42 32 10
1919 43 28 15
1918 52 37 15
1917 43 31 12
1916 43 31 12
1915 34 25 9
1914 23 18 5
1913 23 17 6
1912 16 16 0
1911 14 14 0
1909 6 6 0
1907 6 6 0
1906 7 7 0
1905 5 5 0
1904 7 0 7
1900 5 5 0
1896 8 8 0
1888 8 8 0
1887 6 6 0
1885 5 5 0

Top States for Henri (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 18
38%
NY 10
21%
FL 8
17%
TX 7
15%
NC 5
10%