Harry

Harry is a masculine given name in English. It originated as a diminutive of Henry and was widely used as a nickname for Henry from the Middle Ages onward. The given name Henry derives from the Old French Henri, ultimately from a Frankish name such as Heimerich or Haimaric, with the elements meaning “home” and “ruler.” In modern usage, Harry is often a stand-alone name, and it has historically been used as a nickname for Harold as well.

The name has remained common in English-speaking countries. In the United Kingdom, Harry has been among the more popular given names in recent decades, while in the United States it has been in use since the 19th century and has experienced periods of rising popularity. Variants and related names include Harri (used in Welsh contexts), Harold, and Henry, from which Harry originated.

Notable people and characters named Harry include Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; the 33rd president of the United States Harry S. Truman; escape artist and magician Harry Houdini; singer and actor Harry Styles; footballer Harry Kane; and the fictional protagonist Harry Potter in J. K. Rowling's series.