Harry
Say it: HARR-ee/ˈhæɹi/
BoyMeans usually explained as "home ruler", through Henry5 letters2 syllables
#25
in Ireland (2025)
#26 with spellings combined
183
babies in 2025
#7
best rank (2012)
7,667
babies since 1965
Down 12
10-year rank change
Harry through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 183 | #26 |
| 2024 | 209 | #20 |
| 2023 | 198 | #25 |
| 2022 | 242 | #19 |
| 2021 | 264 | #20 |
| 2020 | 311 | #11 |
| 2019 | 311 | #15 |
| 2018 | 429 | #7 |
| 2017 | 410 | #8 |
| 2016 | 374 | #11 |
| 2015 | 358 | #14 |
| 2014 | 398 | #9 |
| 2013 | 430 | #9 |
| 2012 | 510 | #7 |
| 2011 | 499 | #8 |
| 2010 | 364 | #20 |
| 2009 | 305 | #28 |
| 2008 | 276 | #31 |
| 2007 | 251 | #31 |
| 2006 | 193 | #41 |
| 2005 | 150 | #50 |
| 2004 | 137 | #56 |
| 2003 | 118 | #56 |
| 2002 | 98 | #68 |
| 2001 | 115 | #56 |
| 2000 | 95 | #63 |
| 1999 | 86 | #70 |
| 1998 | 42 | #100 |
| 1997 | 48 | #105 |
| 1996 | 29 | #140 |
| 1995 | 29 | #137 |
| 1994 | 40 | #114 |
| 1993 | 21 | #160 |
| 1992 | 21 | #158 |
| 1991 | 12 | #186 |
| 1990 | 11 | #193 |
| 1989 | 3 | #307 |
| 1988 | 7 | #215 |
| 1987 | 4 | #272 |
| 1986 | 8 | #217 |
| 1985 | 7 | #218 |
| 1984 | 5 | #250 |
| 1983 | 4 | #282 |
| 1982 | 3 | #330 |
| 1981 | 3 | #322 |
| 1980 | 5 | #264 |
| 1979 | 8 | #228 |
| 1978 | 3 | #326 |
| 1975 | 3 | #321 |
| 1974 | 6 | #251 |
| 1973 | 4 | #290 |
| 1972 | 5 | #254 |
| 1969 | 5 | #246 |
| 1968 | 5 | #222 |
| 1967 | 3 | #265 |
| 1966 | 6 | #199 |
| 1965 | 3 | #250 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Harry mean?
Usually explained as "home ruler", through Henry
English, the medieval spoken form of Henry, from French Henri and an old Germanic name.
Say it right
HARRee
The story of Harry
Harry began in medieval England as the everyday spoken form of Henry, which came from the French Henri. Henry itself goes back to an old Germanic name usually explained as “home ruler”. In modern times Harry has also served as a pet form of other names beginning with Har-, such as Harold, and it is now given as a name in its own right.
Irish bearers include Harry Clarke, the Dublin artist known for his stained-glass windows.
Harry was an uncommon name in Ireland until the 1990s. It then rose quickly, reaching number 7 in 2012, when 510 boys were given the name. It followed a similar path in Northern Ireland, where it was 4th that same year. In 2025 it stood at number 25 in the CSO’s table.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Harry (English proper noun)
- Wiktionary: Henry (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Harry (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby Names in Northern Ireland, full name list 1997-2025
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Harry | 183 | 7,667 |
In Northern Ireland
#13 in 2025 with 90 babies. Best rank #4 (2012); 3,625 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.