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Name Origin

Henry is a traditionally masculine given name of Germanic origin. It originates from the Old German elements 'heim' meaning 'home' or 'estate' and 'ric' meaning 'ruler' or 'powerful'. Therefore, Henry traditionally means 'ruler of the home' or 'home ruler'.

germanicmasculinerulerhomeestatepowerful

Famous People

Henry VIII (1491-1547)

King of England

  • Established the Church of England
  • Had six wives
  • Known for his lavish lifestyle and authoritarian rule

Henry Ford (1863-1947)

Industrialist and Business Magnate

  • Revolutionized automobile manufacturing with the assembly line
  • Founded the Ford Motor Company
  • Made cars affordable for the average person

Henry Kissinger (1923-)

Diplomat and Political Scientist

  • Served as U.S. Secretary of State under Presidents Nixon and Ford
  • Key figure in shaping U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War
  • Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1973)

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Writer, Philosopher, and Naturalist

  • Author of 'Walden' and 'Civil Disobedience'
  • Advocate for simple living and self-reliance
  • Influential figure in the transcendentalist movement

Henry James (1843-1916)

Novelist and Short Story Writer

  • Known for his psychological realism and intricate plots
  • Master of the novel of manners and social commentary
  • Notable works include 'The Portrait of a Lady', 'The Ambassadors'