Names Inspired by Henry

Henry has always seen popular usage among English-speakers. However, it was not always at the top of the charts. Henry ranked in the American top 100 through the 1960s and returned in the mid-2000s. That makes Henry stand out among other evergreen classics. 

In addition to being timeless, Henry sounds distinctive. There may be other "hen" names out there, but there are no exact rhymes. Henry also sounds friendly and feels formal at once, splitting the difference between Theodore and Jack. Finally, the name's thirty-year absence from the American top 100 gives it a vintage feel. 

Whether you are searching for a brother name, the name is taken for you, or if Henry is too popular, here are some alternatives:

Byron

This formal and friendly name is more traditional than the similar-sounding Brian thanks to British poet Lord Byron. 

Cedric

Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel Little Lord Fauntleroy gives casual Cedric a vintage vibe.  

Clement

Vintage Clement lacks exact rhyming counterparts and sounds only a little less casual than Henry. 

Conrad

This name feels no tie to a particular era despite sounding like a surname. As there are names that share Henry's first syllable but none that rhyme, it is the same with Conrad. 

Edwin

Classic Edwin sounds more friendly than other formal "ed" names like Edward and Edgar. 

Ernest

Vintage Ernest has some of Henry's sounds and no rhyming counterparts. 

Franklin

Franklin is another timeless name that feels both casual and formal. Besides, "Frank" rhymes with "Hank."

Gilbert

Classic Gilbert sounds friendly and has appeared in multiple children's stories. 

Harold

This old-fashioned classic shares some of Henry's nicknames, including "Hal" and "Harry." 

Harvey

Vintage Harvey begins and ends in Henry's sounds and has its casual but formal vibe. 

Hector

Hector begins with a similar sound to Henry along with having similar classic status. 

Hiram

Biblical and vintage Hiram is another traditional "h" name with a distinct sound and casual vibe. 

Hugh

Old-fashioned and timeless at once, Hugh is a short name with Henry's formality. 

Humphrey

Humphrey is a clunky vintage name that, like Harvey, has Henry's beginning and ending sounds.

Leon

Leon is an old-fashioned classic that lacks rhyming counterparts despite being a "Leo" name. 

Monty

The old-fashioned short form of formal Montgomery feels like a distinct standalone thanks to the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. 

Patrick

Though not the freshest classic today, Patrick has the same casual-formal mix as Henry. 

Percy

While a short form of Percival, vintage Percy feels complete as a standalone name. It also shares Henry's mix of friendliness and formality and lacks rhyming counterparts. 

Quentin

Along with having a first syllable rhyming with that of Henry, Quentin is traditional and casual. It was also the name of Theodore Roosevelt's son. 

Reuben

Reuben is a timeless Biblical name with a distinct and casual sound. Its ending also rhymes with Henry's first syllable. 

Royce

Royce is vaguely vintage and, thus, less familiar. Yet, it matches Henry in casualty. 

Simon

Simon is classic, old-fashioned, and child-friendly, especially via the game Simon Says. 

Stanley

Another name that ends in the "ee" sound without being a nickname, traditional Stanley is even more child-friendly with associations such as Jeff Brown's Flat Stanley books.

Toby

Whether a short form of Tobias or a standalone, cute Toby has Henry's mix of formality and informality. 

What names would you add?

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