Henrique

Henrique is a masculine given name commonly used in Portuguese-speaking countries, especially Portugal and Brazil. It is also found in other Lusophone communities, including Angola and Mozambique. While primarily a given name, it can occasionally appear as a surname in some families.

Henrique is the Portuguese form of Henry, which derives from the Germanic name Heinrich. The name is thought to come from elements meaning “home” (heim) and “ruler” or “power” (ric). Across languages, the name has many variants, such as Henry in English, Enrique in Spanish, Enric in Catalan, Henrik in Danish, and Heinrich in German.

In Lusophone regions, Henrique has been a popular and enduring name across generations. Its continued usage reflects broader naming trends in Portugal and Brazil, where Portuguese is spoken by large populations and the name appears among athletes, politicians, and cultural figures.

Diminutives and affectionate forms include Henriquezinho or Henriquinho, used to denote a younger bearer of the name. The spelling Henrique is closely associated with the Portuguese-speaking world, while equivalent forms exist in other languages for speakers of those languages.

Notable people named Henrique span various fields, particularly sports and public life in Portuguese-speaking countries. The name’s broad distribution and long history make it a recognizable and enduring element of Portuguese naming tradition.