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Baby names

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

Original poster

Harry or Henry

35 replies

Wolfblass · 02/02/2009 12:18

Well under 6 weeks to go and we had a change of heart on our original decision. We loved Rossi for a boy since i was pg with dd 6 years ago and so bump was to be named Rossi James.

However after much thought and many weeks we have decided that we have both gone off it for various reasons.

I want something strong and traditional and have always loved Harry, dp disliked it until 3 weeks ago and now says he loves it

Dp's grandfather was William Henry - but William is overkill with the surname.

So at the moment the names we have are

Harry Joseph

or

Henry Oliver or Henry James

we've beaten out every other first name and neither can agree on any others so seems it's between these two

(any other middle name offers??)

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Lizzylou · 03/02/2009 16:17

Snap Crackernut.
We have excellent taste

Eddas · 03/02/2009 15:06

ooo I have a Harry and a Georgia! I loved Harry when I was pg and thought it wasn't too popular but now I know different. Another lady from pre-school had a baby 2 days before me and she called him Harry too so ds will be forever known at school as Harry O as they'll be in the same class I know it doesn't really matter but we chose Georgia as it isn't too popular, although in her school there seem to be a few in the older years.

jellybeans · 03/02/2009 15:04

Harry Joseph

CrackerNut · 03/02/2009 14:59

Much prefer Harry over Henry.

Ds is Harry, named after my grandad. His middle name is Thomas.

sorrento · 03/02/2009 14:50

Henry James reminds me of Thomas the tank engine.
Are you more Harry or Henry types I think you're one or the other.
We'd have Harry.

Original poster
Wolfblass · 03/02/2009 14:40

Thanks for all your posts!

I really love both Harry and Henry equally.

Harrison just isn't for me - sounds a little too American - which dp really cannot stand. Plus we know a number of Harrisons.

OP posts:
smartiejake · 03/02/2009 11:58

WHat about Harrison?

Fanfare · 03/02/2009 11:31

We have a Henry James and have had so many lovely comments on his name. I think it's quite classic, with literary connotations if that's your thing. Harry has been a top 10 boys name for years now, we felt Henry was just a little bit different without trying too hard!

oneblueandonepink · 03/02/2009 11:21

Henry James

MamaG · 03/02/2009 09:15

BabyG is Harry James

Its a marvellous name

mumoverseas · 03/02/2009 09:11

seeker, I agree. I grew up hating my name. shame our parents didn't have the benefit of MN and run possible names past everyone else!

LittleHarrysMum · 03/02/2009 09:07

Well I think from my name you can see which one I would choose

GossipMonger · 03/02/2009 09:03

Harry is a deriviative of Henry just as Jack is for John

Prince Harry is Henry

I much prefer Harry to Henry. DN is Henry and I am not keen

seeker · 03/02/2009 09:02

Neither is Johnny!

Thank you - I absolutely hate it - strange this name business, isn't it?!!!!

mumoverseas · 03/02/2009 09:00

but its not shorter?
Like your (longer) name BTW

seeker · 03/02/2009 08:55

why would it be confusing? My ds's friend is John, known as Johnny. I am Cathleen known as Kate - never been any confusion. Honestly, Harry IS a real, genuine "shortening' or pet name for Henry. Check Prince Harry's real name!

mumoverseas · 03/02/2009 08:46

Really like Harry but am baffled as to how it is a shortend form of Henry bearing in mind they both have the same number of letters
Agree with those who have said Henry officially but call Harry would be confusing.

Roscoe? very dukes of hazzard

Bubbaluv · 03/02/2009 08:15

If you liked Rossi, what about Roscoe instead?
Otherwise I prefer Henry to Harry and I think James as the middle name flows really well.
Nice name choices.

Original poster
Wolfblass · 03/02/2009 08:10

People who i have told have said they find both of the names rather boring and too safe!?

But i love them both equally - i think dp swings more to Harry - but then he keeps changing his mind every two minutes.

OP posts:
Sibble · 03/02/2009 06:29

Henry James no contest

olyoly · 03/02/2009 06:21

We have a Henry James Montgomery N---
I love the name!

Lizzylou · 02/02/2009 18:31

I have a Harry, there aren't many of them around here at all.
I do know of a fair few Henrys though (including nephew and close friend's DS).

Truly, I love both names.

Original poster
Wolfblass · 02/02/2009 18:27

I honestly do not know of many people who shorten Henry to Harry these days. Maybe it's because i do not know many people who are called Henry? Although i also do not know many youngsters called Harry either - it doesn't seem popular around the area we live in?

DD is Georgia-Mae otherwise i would love George as a middle name.

We have not told any relatives about our name choices so it will come as a complete surprise

Ooh i cannot wait and i'm sure as soon as bump arrives we will know exactly what to call him!

Thanks x

OP posts:
HensMum · 02/02/2009 15:13

Be warned that Harry is very popular (or at least it seems to be where I live) and even if you use Henry, people will call him Harry which is another reason why my Henry usually goes by Hen. He's definitely not a Harry. Not that there's anything wrong with the name, it's just not his!

seeker · 02/02/2009 15:13

Shakespeare uses Harry as a shortening several times in the Henry Plays too.