Popularity of Henry and nn Hank

Soontobemrspaulding · June 2012

We are getting close and I have been indefinite about Henry for months. What do you ladies think, is it getting really popular? I am also afraid of the nn Hank. I know parents have some control over nn but my husband likes Hank, which is what scares me.

We have a 14 month old named Emilia. Other names we are considering are

Owen, Reese, Brody , Everett

Any other suggestions to go with Emilia are welcome

Thanks for your help!

ames71 · June 2012

It's been in the top 100 for the last six years (jumped ten places in 2011 to #57). So, yes, it's rising. It's also just an awesome name (love, love, love the nn Hank!), so I don't think I'd be put off too much. It sounds great with Emilia, BTW.

ETA: From your list I also like Rhys (spelled this way) and Everett.

BLPL101 · June 2012

I have never known a Henry/Hank of any age.

AshleyC0117 · June 2012

It's really popular in my area (NYC) but it's still my #1 name if I have a boy! It's a classic name so to me it doesn't matter how popular it gets.

KimandRoss115 · June 2012

The only Henry I know is 7 and he is just Henry the majority of the time. Sometimes people call him Hank, but not very often.

elisabethb29 · June 2012

Love Henry, and I think it goes great with Emilia. Not a huge fan of Hank, and none of the Henry's I've known have had that nn.

plunderb · June 2012

Yes, Henry is popular, and slightly more popular in Michigan than elsewhere (#49 in MI, #57 nationally). That said, Henry has always been fairly popular in Michigan. Even at the low point of its popularity (in the '80s-'90s), it was still a top-150 name, sometimes dipping down to around 200. So yes, it is more popular now than it was when today's adults were kids, but that is more of a return to historical norms than a new name rising out of nothing.

I don't think that strangers/friends/family would assume that a Henry was called Hank, but if your DH calls him that, they definitely will.

BellaLux · June 2012

Henry is a family name...and DH nn is Hank (although his fn is not Henry)...nms!

BlindysWife · June 2012

It's definitely rising, but I think it's a good, solid choice. I don't think most people would resort to Hank. Especially if you are exclusively calling him Henry.

queenbone · June 2012

I adore Henry and it has been in our top 3 for awhile, but it is very popular. Not only did it rise 10 places nationally, it jumped to #12 in Oregon for 2011. That's disappointing to me, but doesn't surprise me because I know at least 4 Henrys 14 and under.

I'm not a fan of the nn Hank, but considering the popularity of the name you may find that a nn will become helpful if there are more than 2 of them in his class.

I think if you and your H aren't on the same page about the nn you may end up with a Hank. I dislike Ted as a nn for Theodore so I wanted Theo. Fortunately DH liked Theo too so neither of us ever call him Ted. I realize that DS1 may eventually want to be Ted, but at least I can control it for now and DH and I are a united front.

ETA: I also like Rhys from your list. Owen is equally popular as Henry and I would avoid the same first initial for the children.

lageorgiapaperie · June 2012

If your concerned about the popularity of Henry you could always go with Harry or Harold, nn Hal/Harry.

I've only met one little boy with this name, my DS!

melody921 · June 2012

Love Henry! But don't like Hank at all. If you really think DH will call him that, I'd go with Owen. Not a fan of Brody, bc it always makes me think "grody"

salt78 · June 2012

I know several Henrys in a variety of ages. All of them go by Henry. I have never heard any of them called Hank.

Aligator28 · June 2012

Henry is nice.

I like Owen too, but it is getting quite popular.

I like Reese, but spelled the traditional way 'Rhys.'

I hate Brody, it sounds so harsh.

Everett is just ok.

For me is a tie between Henry and Rhys (spelled this way).

chibride4 · June 2012

Henry's very popular where I live as well. Still, if DH likes the nn Hank and you don't, this would be a deal breaker for me. Of the other names on your list, I really like Owen (although popular, too), Rhys (spelled this way) and Everett. Plus, there aren't any obvious nn's for Owen or Rhys. Lots of Everetts go by Rhett. Any of them would make a nice sibset with Emilia, but Rhys especially.

Want a personalized experience?

Popularity of Henry and nn Hank

Re: Popularity of Henry and nn Hank

Choose Another Board

Search Boards