Henry vs. Henri

Temp67694062501186 · September 2010

DH and I are team green yet again and trying to narrow down a few choices so we have something when the baby arrives. One of our top boy names is Henry. Now, normally, I would never replace a normal "y" with an "i" in a name (and vice versa). But we have a French last name (that is how Gabrielle made it to the top last time - DH liked the idea of a French - or at least the French spelling - of a first name).

What do you think of the French spelling of Henri? I do worry that it almost looks cutesy, which I really don't want - I would like a strong male name. Do you think people would end up calling him "ahn-ree" as opposed to "hen-ree?"

HannahO28 · September 2010

I would pronounce it the same way as Henry. I think if you're planning on raising him in America, you should name him Henry. I had no idea that Henri was the French spelling of Henry. I think most people will miss that connection and thing you're just trying to make the name Henry a little more unique.

erinms · September 2010

I would stick to Henry. Henri does look a little cutesy to me, and also a little feminine (I'm sure it would look fine if we were in France). And yes, I think people would misspell it all the time, and get confused about pronunciation.

clairej · September 2010

Unless you live in an area where lots of people speak French and/or are somewhat knowledgeable about French culture, I think everyone would pronounce it "Henry". And if that's the pronunciation you are going for, that's the spelling I would use. I wouldn't use Henri unless you do want it pronounced "ahn-ree".

Temp67694062501186 · September 2010

mj.reilly:

The only Henri I know pronounces it on-ree.

They are different "names" really, in a pronunciation sense. So if you want to say Hen-ree, then I would spell it Henry.

That's what I am thinking... Just looking to other "name experts" to see what the thoughts were.

JasmineBrooke · September 2010

nola*Steph:
Do you think people would end up calling him "ahn-ree" as opposed to "hen-ree?"

Yes, this. If you want it pronounced "Henry" then you should probably stick with this spelling. If you want to use the French spelling then you should also pronounce it that way.

(Love Henry, btw.)

meganbear · September 2010

I would pronounce them the same, but if I saw "Henri" I would be afraid that it was a girl who had been unfortunate enough to have been given an uber-trendy feminized boy name.

meganbear · September 2010

PS- Just to be clear, I'm not saying Henry is trendy, just that turning a boy name into a girl's name is.

KarlsSweetie05 · September 2010

agree with PP, especially the one who said it might look too feminine with an "i" .

I love Henry and would just spell it Henry.

perplexed59 · September 2010

I would go with Henri because you have a french last name. I may be biased because I live in a french community. I find in the schools here Henri is pronounced "hen-ree" even though its a french community. The only time it is pronounced "ahn-ree" is if it is requested. I'm used to seeing Henri and I don't find it cutesy.

JaysonandKristin · September 2010

With your siggy, and SN, I'm assuming you're in New Orleans, or at least Louisiana?

There's hella french influence down there, so I'm assuming they'd call him Henri (ahn-ree).

ETA: Just read your info - saw that you're in NO... sorry I overlooked the first time.

Temp67694062501186 · September 2010

meganbear:
PS- Just to be clear, I'm not saying Henry is trendy, just that turning a boy name into a girl's name is.

Gotcha. I giggled at your first post, too. Poor little girl named Henri. haha

Temp67694062501186 · September 2010

JaysonandKristin:

With your siggy, and SN, I'm assuming you're in New Orleans, or at least Louisiana?

There's hella french influence down there, so I'm assuming they'd call him Henri (ahn-ree).

ETA: Just read your info - saw that you're in NO... sorry I overlooked the first time.

This is true. And I'm not totally against "ahn-ree," either. Hmmm...

Ms Molly · September 2010

I understand where you're coming from with the French last name, but I think others will assume you're trying to be youneek.

drpayne · September 2010

mj.reilly:
The only Henri I know pronounces it on-ree.
They are different "names" really, in a pronunciation sense. So if you want to say Hen-ree, then I would spell it Henry.

This. Technically they are different languages.

JaysonandKristin · September 2010

nola*Steph:
JaysonandKristin:

With your siggy, and SN, I'm assuming you're in New Orleans, or at least Louisiana?
There's hella french influence down there, so I'm assuming they'd call him Henri (ahn-ree).
ETA: Just read your info - saw that you're in NO... sorry I overlooked the first time.

This is true. And I'm not totally against "ahn-ree," either. Hmmm...

I, personally, love the name Henri, but my maiden name is also Charbonneau (clearly French). My great-grandfather's name was Maurice, but he changed the pronunciation to Morris when he came to the States. Either way, Henri can be "ahn-ree" or "hen-ree." So, he has to tell people which pronunciation. I'm a Kristin and I get Christine, Christina, Krissy ALL.THE.TIME!!

Want a personalized experience?

Henry vs. Henri

Re: Henry vs. Henri

Choose Another Board

Search Boards