Henri

Henri is a masculine given name of French origin. It is the French form of Henry and is derived from the Germanic name Heimirich or Heimerich, meaning “home ruler” or “ruler of the household.” The name has been common in France since the Middle Ages and remains widely used in French-speaking countries, with feminine forms such as Henriette.

Notable people named Henri span the arts, science, and history. Examples include Henri Matisse, a leading figure in modern art; Henri Cartier-Bresson, a pioneering photographer and co-founder of Magnum Photos; Henri Bergson, a philosopher who won the Nobel Prize in Literature; Henri Poincaré, a mathematician, theoretical physicist, and philosopher of science; and Henri IV, King of France from 1589 to 1610. The name also appears in place names and institutions, such as districts and churches named Saint-Henri in French-speaking regions.

Usage today extends to personal naming and geographic references. In fiction and media, characters named Henri appear in various works, reflecting the name’s enduring association with leadership and artistry. In onomastic studies, Henri is noted as a long-standing component of French naming traditions and a traditional counterpart to Henry in English-speaking contexts.