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Baby names

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

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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

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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traceybath · 02/02/2009 12:20

I have a Henry and i think its a fab name. Its not so popular as Harry but still nice, easy to spell and say and i think a good strong name.

MrsSeanBean · 02/02/2009 12:23

Can't you use Henry on birth certificate but use Harry? Harry is a nickname of Henry I always thought.

MrsSeanBean · 02/02/2009 12:24

Use Harry for everyday usage I mean. Prince Harry is Henry officially.

Original poster

Wolfblass · 02/02/2009 12:24

I see what you are saying MrsSeanBean - but i just think that's confusing. Harry is a nickname for Harold or Henry yes.

OP posts:

hannahsaunt · 02/02/2009 12:43

We have a Harry who is Harry. He was to be Henry and known as Harry until the day we went to register his birth and decided that if he was to be called Harry he should be Harry on his birth cert.

ilovespinach · 02/02/2009 15:02

I have a Henry. We started to call him Harry but it caused a lot of confusion amongst relatives - is he a Henry or Harry? I thought the shortening to Harry was well known but it surprised everyone I told it to.

He definately suits the name Henry better For short we call him Hen.

I prefer the name Henry to Harry.

Wheelybug · 02/02/2009 15:04

I love the name Henry - we were considering it but our surname is an H so we've decided it sounds a bit silly.

ilovespinach · 02/02/2009 15:09

Forgot to add like both of your Henry name combinations.....if it helps, mine is Henry George

seeker · 02/02/2009 15:12

Harry is short for Henry - Prince Harry is really Henry.

It's just like someone called Samuel being called Sam.

PoloPlayingMummy · 02/02/2009 15:12

Henry on birth cert and Harry as a nickname as they are essentially the same name

seeker · 02/02/2009 15:13

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

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!

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:

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.

olyoly · 03/02/2009 06:21

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

Sibble · 03/02/2009 06:29

Henry James no contest

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:

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.

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

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 09:00

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

seeker · 03/02/2009 09:02

Neither is Johnny!

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

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

LittleHarrysMum · 03/02/2009 09:07

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

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!

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