Why was Prince Harry named Henry at birth but then became widely known as Harry?

[SecondSpare]

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, was born and christened with the name Henry Charles Albert David, but has long been known and referred to as Harry since his year of birth. I assume this is widely known by most MNers, but perhaps not amongst the general public. I have always wondered if not wanting to be called by his actual birth name was due to the notoriety of previous royal Henrys - particularly Henry VIII, perhaps the most notorious of all British monarchs. But if that was the case, why wasn't he given the name Harry from birth?

Wait till you find out the Princess of Wales isn't called Kate on the birth certificate.

It happens with other names too, sometimes John can be referred to as Jack

It's just the diminutive form op.

I think it was announced when he was born, and I suspect because Diana felt a bit restricted by the royal naming conventions. I heard she wanted to call William Oliver but it wasn't approved because, well, you know ... Oliver Cromwell. I also heard she wanted to name him after her father. I remember being told this when discussing royal naming conventions in a history lesson at school.

That anecdote gave me the impression - and it could just be an impression - that perhaps she liked Harry and they said it's fine so long as he is Henry officially. Or Henry was seen as a good choice and she said fine so long as he is Harry day to day. But I had a vague impression the announcement was to recognise his mother's preference. This could be total conjecture btw!

Sally is short for Sarah, but has also become a separate name.

No chance in the royal family, that high up in the line of succession that any of them would have a diminutive as a full name regardless of how many other people do though.

They might be known as Molly, Jack, Harry, Sally, Libby, Jim or Bob but none of those would be their official name. I've no doubt there are hundreds of not thousands of Harrys who have been registered as such over the years. Still no chance that Prince Harry would ever have not been officially Henry. They're the most traditional people in the land!

Although it is interesting how that is only in the direct line from the eldest child. Hence we have the very traditional George, Charlotte and Louis and the far less so Archie and Lillibet. Not to mention Zara and Mia and Savannah and all the other very non-traditional names. Zara could have had a child called Harry and that be his actual registered name. William wouldn't have done.

I assume Google is broken today.

It's only in recent times some parents have chosen to officially give their children traditional diminutives of names e.g. Jack, Harry, Teddy, Rosie, Lulu.

@dizzydizzydizzy I adore the name Mildred, id be gutted to have such a brilliant name and be knows as Sylvia! Curious, is Syliva a middle name? As Milly would be more natural for Mildred.

For what its worth OP. I have two Children who's birth certificate names are used only if they are getting a gentle ribbing. They are day to day known by the diminutive and lots of people don't know their full, beautiful, names. But everyone is too lazy to say the full name so they get shortened.

I think a lot of people don’t realise Harry was originally a nickname for Henry. Understandable as it’s still the same amount of syllables and Harry has very much become a name in its own right.

I wonder if Harry is an Anglicised pronunciation of the French Henri.

They literally announced when they announced his birth, his name will be Henry but he will be known as Harry

My son has only ever been known by his diminutive, from the day of his birth.

Yes, Sylvia was Mildred’s middle name. She hated Mildred.

I think its pretty common for some families. My mum and her siblings are all known by other names that aren't there first names. My Mum's is the most straight forward, she's Eleanor shortened to Nell however her brother and sister are known by there middle names - and to some people the shortened version of there middle names.

I believe that my grandparents wanted to honor people like their parents and my great aunt by giving their names to there children (Eleanor is also my great grandmother's name) and then gave them "known as names".

@dizzydizzydizzy we cant all be the same, and I was brought up thinking Mildred Hubble was a hero. Loved her, so her name is awesome.

I had a friend who's Mum was called Susan, found out years later it was actually Patricia but she preferred her middle name, Susan.

It's nice when individuals have some choice in their names to go by something they like.

It was. That’s exactly what they said on the day of his birth.

It’s a common thing - my dad’s name was Henry and was called Harry by everyone

it blows my mind that people didn't know his sunday name is Henry.

Agreed! It’s a relief we’re not all the same (although I wouldn’t say no to a few more people like me 🤣🤣🤣🤣) And yes, Mildred Hubble is great.

Unfortunately, the name Mildred makes me think of mildew and drips.

My parents went out of their way to name me a name that did not have a diminutive after my sister was called by hers by everyone else. It in our family we have Jessie ( Jessica) jack ( John) Kip ( Christopher) and a heather who’s actual band is actually Ishbel.

My grandmother was Nellie but her name was Ellen.

Peggy is a diminutive of Margaret

Both Polly & Molly are diminutives of Mary

Kate/Katie is Catherine of course

Jimmy is James

It is widely known amongst the general public my age who remember his arrival. A very clear statement was issued at the time that he was Henry but would be known as Harry.

I suspect the only people who could answer your question about the reason would be his close family.

But I would guess that the family probably felt that Harry on his birth certificate might have been too informal (and it is the nickname for Henry). However, his parents felt that they didn't want to call him Henry in everyday life.

Why is the POW called Catherine but known as Kate?

The late queen's father was called Albert, but took the name George when he became king.

I think she is supposed to be known as Catherine since her wedding.

But Kate stuck because, like thousands of schoolgirl Catherines all over the country, she was Kate as a girl.

Harry is a common short form for Henry, going back hundreds of years.
Traditionally, Harry is not a proper name, simply a nickname (like Jack, Dick, Steve, Bill..... all nicknames for the proper names of British kings).

Daisy and Molly and Peggy are all nick names for Margaret.