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Hank Boy

Popularity: #387 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationHank / /hæŋk/

German; English

Meaning

German: Ruler of the home; English: Diminutive of Henry

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Hank is derived from the Germanic name Heinrich, which is composed of the elements "heim," meaning "home," and "ric," meaning "ruler" or "power." The name Heinrich evolved into various forms across different languages, including the Old High German "Haimirich" and the Middle Dutch "Henric." As the name transitioned into English, it was Anglicized to Henry, which became widely used in England following the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. The diminutive form Hank emerged as a nickname for Henry, particularly in the 19th century, reflecting a trend in English to create shorter, more familiar versions of longer names.

Historically, the name Henry has been borne by numerous notable figures, including several English kings, such as Henry II in the 12th century and Henry VIII in the 16th century. The name gained further prominence through its association with Saint Henry, a Holy Roman Emperor canonized in the 12th century. The use of Henry and its diminutive Hank in literature and popular culture has contributed to its longevity, with references appearing in works from the medieval period onward, including Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" and later in American literature.

Culturally, Hank has often been associated with qualities of strength and leadership, reflecting its roots in the meanings of its original components. The name has also been embraced in various forms of American folk culture, often evoking a sense of ruggedness or down-to-earth charm. This cultural resonance has helped maintain Hank's presence in the lexicon of names, ensuring its continued relevance in various contexts.

Trend Summary

Hank has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable resurgence in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Hankey

International Variants

  • Henri (French)
  • Heinrich (German)

Famous people named Hank

Hank Aaron is a former professional baseball player best known for his time with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves and breaking Babe Ruth's home run record.

Hank Azaria is an actor and voice actor best known for his work on The Simpsons, including characters like Moe Szyslak and Chief Wiggum.

Hank Williams is a country music singer-songwriter best known for songs like Your Cheatin' Heart, Hey Good Lookin', and I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry.

Hank Green is an entrepreneur and author best known for co-creating the YouTube channels Vlogbrothers and CrashCourse.

Hank Pym is a fictional character in Marvel Comics best known as the original Ant-Man and a founding member of the Avengers.

Hank Snow is a country music singer best known for his hit song I've Been Everywhere and his influence on the genre.

Hank Schrader is a fictional character in the television series Breaking Bad, known for being a DEA agent and brother-in-law to the main character.

Hank McCoy is a fictional character in Marvel Comics best known as Beast from the X-Men series.

Fictional characters named Hank

Hank Pym is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics universe. He is a founding member of the Avengers and is known for his ability to shrink in size and communicate with insects.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Hank was first seen in the United States in 1908. Hank has ranked as high as #704 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, and Florida. In the past 5 years the name Hank has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Hank (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 54
8%
TX 51
7%
OH 35
5%
NC 34
5%
MO 33
5%
IN 30
4%
MN 28
4%
TN 28
4%
UT 25
4%
MI 24
3%
IA 24
3%
WA 23
3%
GA 23
3%
IL 22
3%
FL 21
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19085
19096
19115
19145
19156
19167
19188
19197
19209
19219
192213
192316
192420
19256
192611
192721
19289
192910
193013
193117
193216
193317
19348
193521
193625
193722
193818
193928
194026
194122
194232
194339
194430
194540
194661
194776
194870
194966
195084
1951103
1952104
1953155
1954174
1955121
1956167
1957156
1958147
1959159
1960155
1961154
1962148
1963177
1964186
1965187
1966158
1967147
1968133
1969117
1970154
1971111
1972108
1973104
1974117
197597
197676
197783
197863
197970
198093
1981101
198284
1983111
198497
198587
198694
1987109
198899
1989100
199095
199195
1992115
199388
199467
199586
199674
199784
199889
199956
200082
200179
200274
200389
2004134
2005141
2006135
2007158
2008181
2009170
2010266
2011336
2012346
2013390
2014448
2015533
2016633
2017680
2018647
2019653
2020616
2021716
2022700
2023699
2024739