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Baby names

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Original poster

Henry as brother for Harry?

89 replies

madasabadger · 13/09/2015 00:06

I know Harry is traditionally a nickname for Henry, but we have a Harry and wondering if naming a brother Henry would be daft... any other suggestions welcome - really wanted a not-weird name, but also not in top 20 names list.

OP posts:
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iamanintrovert · 20/09/2015 10:55

Hudson?
How does one pronounce Aneurin?

NoahVale · 20/09/2015 10:48

No
Ian is the Scottish form of John, #JAck* comes from John in UK

but this is all historical

I mean you could have a child, call it Anna but call it Bunny for a NN if you so wished

BelindaBagwash · 20/09/2015 10:28
Hmm

I didn't say categorically that it isn't a nn - just not in my area. There are probably nn in my area that don't exist elsewhere.

I remember my MiL being shocked that Ian was a nn for John. She thought it would have been ok to have 2 sons called John and Ian.

WhatDoesTheUrbaneFoxSay · 20/09/2015 10:19

apologies to the OP!

You've accepted the verdict! Sincere apologies for flogging a dead horse wrt the regional thing

BitOutOfPractice · 20/09/2015 10:16

Belinda just because you didn't know Harry was a nn for Henry doesn't mean it isn't.

WhatDoesTheUrbaneFoxSay · 20/09/2015 10:16

summerconfusion I think the reason names like John, Michael, Margaret, Elizabeth, James, Henry, Charles, Edward, William, Richard and Mary have so many nick names, most of which seem a big leap , is that 70 years ago, everybody was given a name from a short list of about twenty names. To avoid confusion, these same old names had more nick names.

WhatDoesTheUrbaneFoxSay · 20/09/2015 10:13

I don't think that's a regional difference, just that you were unaware of how many other people know something to be true. Occasionally it happens, I think I alone know something (!) and it turns out to be common knowledge. I'm not in the UK, but everybody knows. Hang on, I'm going to ask my not even English ten year old what Harry is short for.

He knew! He said Hank is short for Henry too.

BelindaBagwash · 20/09/2015 10:08

NicholasName glad I amused you Confused

But it's true. Where I live Harry is short for Harold, not Henry. Henry would not have a shortened version.

Don't see what's hilarious about a regional difference.

Hackedabove · 20/09/2015 09:45

Same name.

summerconfusion · 20/09/2015 09:45

Thousands of Jackies for Johns in my family, I agree that John and jack is a bit silly. Not to say Jack can't be a name in its own right though, might be nice for you actually, OP!

NicholasName · 20/09/2015 09:35

"in my area Harry isn't a nn for Henry!" Grin hilarious. Thank you for the laugh Shock

YonicScrewdriver · 20/09/2015 09:33

Yeah, I don't think I'd do it but I wouldn't give two children the same first initial anyway.

I don't think i would call children Harry and Henry any more than Harry and Barry as the names are too similar.

BitOutOfPractice · 20/09/2015 09:30

Erm yes. My cousin. John with nn jack is a family name.

I'm not saying jack isn't considered a name in its own right. Of course it is. And a lovely one too.

But in my mind having 2 sons called jack and John is very much the same issue as having 2 sons called Henry and Harry.

YonicScrewdriver · 20/09/2015 09:27

Hmm, I didn't mean medieval times - do you know any under 30s called Jack who are john on their birth certificate?

BitOutOfPractice · 20/09/2015 09:25

Not just medieval times. Many famous Jacks (plus my own grandfather) are named John.

Yes it's considered a name in its own right now. But then so is Harry!

YonicScrewdriver · 20/09/2015 09:24

Also John and Jack are very different sounds unlike Henry and Harry which have 3/5 letters in common.

BitOutOfPractice · 20/09/2015 09:24

horse if I had had a boy it would've been aneurin.

Not only a beautiful sounding word with a lonely meaning and funky NN, but Aneurin Bevan happens to be one of my heroes.

YonicScrewdriver · 20/09/2015 09:23

Jack is a nickname for John, but I think it's far more of a name in its own right now.

Harry will be a NN for Henry until Prince Harry dies/reverts to Henry, at least, so I wouldn't!

NoahVale · 20/09/2015 09:22

oh I see Jack is a diminutive of John in medieval times but is now regarded as an independent name

NoahVale · 20/09/2015 09:21

CANT SEE the problem with John and Jack
Ian is the Scottish John
Hugh is a good name

BitOutOfPractice · 20/09/2015 09:18

I did laugh at the PP who said "in my area Harry isn't a nn for Henry!" Of course it is!

I know two brothers called John and Jack. Just as ridiculous.

Hey op good luck with coming up with another name you love and congrats on your pregnancy

LittleCandle · 20/09/2015 09:18

When a student, I taught a family who were called Michael, Micheala, Mickey, and Michelle. I kid you not. Please do not called your child Henry.

StormyBlue · 20/09/2015 09:15

I vote for Harry and Barry.

YonicScrewdriver · 20/09/2015 09:12

Founder of the NHS, horse. I believe it's of Welsh origin.

horsewalksintoabar · 20/09/2015 09:11

"Meet my twins: Aneurin and...wait for it, Harry." Really?? Grin
Have another coffee luv and clear out the sleepytime fog.
I couldn't think of a WORSE combo.
Aneurin and Harry.
Aneurin? What is this? A topical ointment or migraine reliever? Don't get me started on Nye.