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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Which do you prefer? Thomas or Henry?

73 replies

Namesnamesnames13 · 30/08/2026 09:10

Thomas or Henry?

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Pallisers · 30/08/2026 14:39

Thomas. But then it was my dad's name and he was THE best man.

GirlsInGreen · 30/08/2026 14:40

I've never met a Thomas i didn't like😊.

kalokagathos · 30/08/2026 14:41

Thomas hands down

lifeisgoodrightnow · 30/08/2026 14:42

Thomas- my ds name. We shorten it to mouse. He’s 6ft 8…

SecurityConcerns · 30/08/2026 15:46

JMSA · 30/08/2026 14:13

As a Scot, Thomas would be better. You’d really only find Henrys at private school here.
I do love Hector though 😁

Yes, Henry sounds posh but naughty!

Cant go wrong with Thomas.

BoleynMemories13 · 30/08/2026 17:50

Thomas is one of my favourite names. It's a strong, handsome classic and Tom is a very down to Earth shortening.

I don't love Henry. It's ok, and a lot more mainstream now than it once was, but it still has that posh private school vibe to me (Hooray Henry).

Out of the two, I much prefer Thomas.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 30/08/2026 17:56

Scissor · 30/08/2026 14:07

Well as Prince Harry's name is actually Henry it's fairly well known

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Good for you that you knew it! Not a royal follower and didn’t know myself. I did say I wasn’t disputing it, it’s not exactly a big deal to know or not know this info.

TheeNotoriousPIG · 30/08/2026 18:09

Of the two, Henry, but I like Thomas, too!

Savvysix1984 · 30/08/2026 18:11

Thomas

Needmorelego · 30/08/2026 18:12

Thomas.

Giraffehaver · 30/08/2026 23:52

Thomas

Facethesun · 30/08/2026 23:59

Think of any baby name when that baby is an adult. Would they want to be called Henry when they’re 24, 40 etc. I’d rather be called Tom

Original poster
Namesnamesnames13 · 31/08/2026 00:01

I would agree with you if I was calling him teddy but a 40 year old caller Henry doesn’t seem very odd to me!

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Original poster
Namesnamesnames13 · 31/08/2026 00:03

That’s weird, so Henry is perceived as post in Scotland?

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Original poster
Namesnamesnames13 · 31/08/2026 00:03

*posh!

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Moveoverdarlin · 31/08/2026 00:04

Henry. Both very safe names. I just think Tom is a tad boring.

If someone told me their name was Tom, the next day I would struggle to remember if it was Tom, Ben, Joe, Sam. I think it’s the three letters, one syllable sound.

Stressedout150 · 31/08/2026 00:06

Thomas, however that’s only cos my wonderful son is a Thomas

however !! I actually wanted to call him Henry initially! But my husband overruled me! So I love Henry too!

both my favourite names ever!

LivingTheDreamish · 31/08/2026 00:21

I think you'll just have to wait until he arrives and see if one of them suits him better. Both lovely classic names, so you can't go wrong really.

purpleblast · 31/08/2026 07:00

The Henry I know his mum calls him Henny! It’s just cringy. Henry is a nice name.

Sparklinggreen · 31/08/2026 08:28

Henry for me

I like Thomas but not such a fan of nn Tom (that I suspect everyone will use)

BoleynMemories13 · 31/08/2026 08:43

Namesnamesnames13 · 31/08/2026 00:03

That’s weird, so Henry is perceived as post in Scotland?

Not just in Scotland. Google 'Hooray Henry', it's quite a common term for a posh toff.

ExquisiteSocialSkills · 31/08/2026 08:43

Thomas.

Bigwineglass · 31/08/2026 08:45

ToKittyornottoKitty · 30/08/2026 10:35

Same, OP may just be a tank engine fan!

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Me too. Thought it was a lighthearted post about engines. There is a lot of weird posts on here today 🤣

Norwaygirl · 31/08/2026 08:47

Henry. Thomas is a wet name in the same category as Rupert and Timothy. You can't be called Thomas when you are 35 and play rugby, it always has to be shortened to Tom.

Bournetilly · 31/08/2026 08:47

I prefer Henry. I don’t like Thomas but Tommy is cute.