$Unique_ID{PAR00349}
$Font{NP}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Names for Boys:  H}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Harder, Kelsey}
$Subject{Names Boys H}
$Log{}

The Ultimate Baby Name Book


Names for Boys:  H


Hab (see Albert)

Habaier (see Xavier)

Hadry (see Adrian)

Haime (see James)

Hal                Form of Harold or Henry.  Hal is getting to be a popular
                   name in the United States.  Prince Hal, the rakish son of
                   Henry IV of England and the boon companion of Falstaff, is
                   depicted in Shakespeare's Henry IV, Parts I and II.  But in
                   Henry V, he has grown up to become a courageous and
                   responsible king.
    Famous names:  Hal Lanier (baseball player)
                   Hal Williams (actor)
                   Hal Linden (actor)

Ham (see Hamilton, Hamlin)

Hamil (see Hamilton)

Hamill (see Hamilton)

Hamilton           Old English, possibly "bare or cleared hill village" from
                   hamall, "maimed."  This place name is usually a surname,
                   but it can become a first name when parents give a baby a
                   family name, instead of a more-conventional first name.
    Famous names:  Hamilton Fish Kean (U.S. senator)
                   Hamilton Jordan (adviser to President Carter)
       Nicknames:  Ham, Tony
      Variations:  Hamil, Hamill

Hamish (see James)

Hamisi             Swahili "born on Thursday."  Day names are common in many
                   cultures.  An example from the United States is Tuesday
                   Weld.  In Daniel DeFoe's novel Robinson Crusoe, Friday is
                   the native man who assists Crusoe.  In Spanish-speaking
                   countries, Dominic and its many variations mean "born on
                   Sunday."

Hamlin             Old German "little home."  The name arrived in England
                   after the Norman Invasion and soon became popular as
                   Hamlen, Hamlyn, Hamblen, Hamblin, and Hambling.
     Famous name:  Hannibal Hamlin Garland (writer)
        Nickname:  Ham

Hamp (see Hampton)

Hampton            Old English hamtun, "village-town"; hammtun, "meadow town";
                   or heatun, "high-town."  This name is connected with
                   royalty in England.  Hampton Court is a royal palace that
                   was built on the Thames River by Cardinal Woolsey,
                   archbishop of York and primate of England.  When he fell
                   into disfavor, Henry VIII took over Woolsey's palace for
                   himself.
     Famous name:  Clarence Hampton Etchison (baseball player)
        Nickname:  Hamp

Handy (see Hannibal)

Hanibal (see Hannibal)

Hank               Form of Henry.  This nickname has become one of the 30
                   most popular names for boys.
    Famous names:  Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron (baseball player)
                   Hank Williams (country musician)

Hanna (see John)

Hannes (see John)

Hannibal           Form of Amabel, Latin "loving."  Hannibal, a Carthaginian
                   general, crossed the Alps in 218 B.C. and defeated the
                   Romans.  He did not follow up his victory by sacking Rome,
                   but returned to Carthage.
     Famous name:  Hannibal Hamlin (U.S. vice-president under Lincoln)
        Nickname:  Handy
      Variations:  Anabel, Hanibal

Hanoch (see Enoch)

Hanraoi (see Henry)

Hans               Danish and German form of John.
    Famous names:  John Hans Adler (economist)
                   Hans Christian Andersen (writer)

Hansel (see John)

Haralambie (see Harry)

Harald (see Harold)

Haraldo (see Harold)

Harbert (see Herbert)

Harding            Old English hearding, "hard."  This surname was first
                   used as a given name to honor President Warren Harding.

Harley             Old English "hares' wood."
     Famous name:  Harley Martin Kilgore (U.S. senator)
       Variation:  Arley

Harlow             Old English "army hill."
     Famous name:  Harlow Shapeley (astronomer)
      Variations:  Arlow, Harlowe

Harlowe (see Harlow)

Harman (see Herman)

Harmon (see Herman)

Harold             Old English Hereweald from here [army] + weald [power];
                   also, Old Norse Harivald, "powerful army."  Harold II was
                   the last Saxon king of England.  He reigned for only a few
                   months because he broke the oath he had made to William the
                   Conqueror, duke of Normandy.  Harold's army met William's
                   at the battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066, where the
                   Saxons were defeated and Harold was killed.  The story is
                   retold by Tennyson in his poem Harold.  Lord Byron used the
                   name in his long poem, Childe Harold, on which Berlioz
                   based his opera Harold in Italy.
    Famous names:  Harold Christian Hagen (U.S. congressman)
                   Harold Lloyd (comedian)
                   Harold Macmillan (prime minister of Great Britain)
       Nicknames:  Hal, Harry
      Variations:  Arry (Swedish), Garold (Russian), Harald (German), Haraldo
                   (Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian), Harus (Latvian),
                   Jindra (Czech), Kharalambos (Greek)

Haroun (see Aaron)

Harry              Form of Harold or Henry.  In Elizabethan England, the
                   name Henry was pronounced Harry, but later when spelling
                   became more uniform, Harry became a separate name.  While
                   the singer Harry Belafonte has done very well, another
                   singer named Harry changed his name to Bing Crosby.
    Famous names:  Harry Golden (journalist)
                   Harry Houdini (magician)
                   Harry S Truman (33rd U.S. president)
      Variations:  Arrigo (Spanish), Haralambie (Rumanian), Heinz (German),
                   Heronim (Polish), Hersh (Yiddish)

Harus (see Harold)

Harvey             Breton haerveu, "carnage-worthy" or "valuable or worthy
                   battle"; also, French Herve.  This warrior's name came
                   to England during the Norman Invasion.  Today, however,
                   Harvey is not associated with fierceness but with the
                   gentle, imaginary rabbit in Mary Chase's play Harvey, which
                   was made into a movie starring James Stewart.  St. Harvey
                   lived during the sixth century and was known for his piety.
                   Since he was blind, he is invoked for eye trouble.  His day
                   is June 17.
    Famous names:  Harvey Firestone (industrialist)
                   Harve Presnell (actor)
        Nickname:  Herve
       Variation:  Hervey

Haskel (see Haskell)

Haskell            Hebrew Ezekiel; or Norman French anschetill, "ash
                   kettle."  The French derivation of this name associates it
                   with the process of rendering ash into soap, a messy but
                   necessary job.
       Nicknames:  Ask, Hasky
      Variations:  Askell, Haskel, Hassel

Hasky (see Haskell)

Hassel (see Haskell)

Haywood            Old English "enclosed wood."  When this name is used
                   as a first name, it is usually a family name.
    Famous names:  Haywood Cooper Sullivan (baseball player)
                   Heywood Brown (literary critic)
       Nicknames:  Wood, Woodie
       Variation:  Heywood

Heber (see Herbert)

Hebert (see Herbert)

Heck (see Hector)

Hector             Greek hektor, "to hold fast" or "anchor."  In Homer's
                   Iliad, Hector, the brave son of Priam, was killed by
                   Achilles, and his body was dragged three times around the
                   wall of Troy.  In England, the name is part of the legend
                   of King Arthur.  Sir Hector was the foster-father of the
                   king, and Sir Hector de Mares was a knight of the Round
                   Table.  Shakespeare depicted Hector as the sensible older
                   brother of Paris and Troilus in his play Troilus and
                   Cressida.
    Famous names:  Hector Berlioz (composer)
                   Hector Dilan Cruz (baseball player)
                   Hector Hugh Munro (humorist)
       Nicknames:  Eto, Heck
      Variations:  Ector (Greek), Ettore (Italian), Heitor (Portuguese),
                   Hektor (Polish), Hektoras (Latvian), Hinko (Serbian)

Heinrich (see Henry)

Heintz (see Henry)

Heinz (see Harry)

Heitor (see Hector)

Hektor (see Hector)

Hektoras (see Hector)

Hendrik (see Henry)

Henrey (see Henry)

Henri (see Henry)

Henrico (see Henry)

Henrik (see Henry)

Henriko (see Henry)

Henry              Old German Haimirich, "protector of an estate," from
                   haimi [home] + ric [ruler] or [protector].  Henry is a
                   royal name in England, France, and Germany.  Henry I of
                   England, the fourth son of William the Conqueror, ruled for
                   more than 30 years.  His grandson, Henry II, established
                   English common law.  Henry VIII is said to be the founder
                   of the modern English state.  Several German emperors also
                   were named Henry, and four French kings named Henri died
                   violently.
    Famous names:  Henry Albert Bauer (baseball player)
                   Henry Fonda (actor)
                   Henry Ford (industrialist)
                   Henry Hudson (explorer)
                   Henry James (novelist)
                   Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (poet)
                   Henry L. Mencken (editor)
                   Henry David Thoreau (author)
  Other spelling:  Henrey
       Nicknames:  Hal, Hank, Harry
      Variations:  Andrique, Eanruig (Scottish), Enrico (Italian), Enrique
                   (Spanish), Hanraoi (Irish), Heinrich (German), Heintz
                   (German), Hendrik (Danish and Dutch), Henri (French),
                   Henrico, Henrik (Swedish), Henriko, Ico, Inriques, Kiki,
                   Kiko, Quico, Quiqui, Riquerto

Herb (see Herbert)

Herbert            Old German "intelligent army leader" from harja [army]
                   + berhta [bright].
    Famous names:  Herbert Hoover (31st U.S. president)
                   Herbert Spenser (philosopher)
       Nicknames:  Bert, Bertie, Herb, Herbie
      Variations:  Eberto, Eleverto, Eliberto, Erberto (Italian), Eriverto,
                   Harbert, Heber, Hebert, Herberto (Italian), Herl, Heriberto
                   (Italian), Herriberto, Hoireabard (Irish), Hubert,
                   Jiriberto, Uberto

Herberto (see Herbert)

Herbie (see Herbert)

Heremias (see Jeremy)

Heri (see Herbert)

Heriberto (see Herbert)

Herm (see Herman)

Herman             Old German Harimann, "soldier," from harja [army] + mann
                   [man].  This name was popular in the nineteenth century.
    Famous names:  Herman Hesse (novelist)
                   Herman Melville (novelist)
       Nicknames:  Herm, Hermie, Hermy
      Variations:  Armand (French), Armando (Spanish), Armant, Armin, Arminio
                   (Italian), Armond, Ermania, Ermanno (Italian), Ermenia,
                   Ermin, Harman, Harmon, Hermann (Danish and German),
                   Herminio, Hermon

Hermann (see Herman)

Hermie, Hermy (see Herman)

Herminio (see Herman)

Hermon (see Herman)

Hernando (see Ferdinand)

Heronim (see Harry)

Herriberto (see Herbert)

Hersch (see Herschel)

Herschel           German "deer."
     Famous name:  Hershel Walker (football player)
  Other spelling:  Hershel
       Nicknames:  Hersch, Hersh, Hertz, Hirsch, Hirsh

Hersh (see Harry, Herschel)

Hershel (see Herschel)

Hertz (see Herschel)

Herve (see Harvey)

Hervey (see Harvey)

Hesus (see Jesus)

Hewart (see Howard)

Hewes (see Hugh)

Hewett (see Hugh)

Hewie (see Hugh)

Heywood (see Haywood)

Hi (see Hiram)

Hicks (see Richard)

Hieremias (see Jeremy)

Hiermo (see William)

Hierom (see Jerome)

Hieronym (see Jerome)

Hieronymos (see Jerome)

Hilfredo (see Alfredo)

Hinko (see Hector)

Hiram              Hebrew ahiram, "exalted brother."  In the Bible, Hiram is
                   the king of Tyre.  He sent cedar trees, as well as
                   carpenters and masons, to King David to build him a house.
                   Later, Hiram cut down the cedars of Lebanon to build
                   David's son, Solomon, a palace.  The name was popular from
                   the seventeenth century to the late nineteenth century.
    Famous names:  Hiram C. Engright (baseball player)
                   Hiram Johnson (U.S. senator)
        Nickname:  Hi
       Variation:  Huram

Hirsch, Hirsh (see Herschel)

Hirus (see Jerome)

Hjalmar (see Elmer)

Hnatochko (see Ignatius)

Hob (see Albert)

Hobard (see Hubert)

Hobart (see Hubert)

Hodges (see Roger)

Hodgkins (see Roger)

Hohan (see John)

Hoibeard (see Hubert)

Hoireabard (see Herbert)

Holden             Old English holedene, "deep valley," from hole [hollow]
                   dene [valley].  This unusual name was chosen by J.D.
                   Salinger for the teenage antihero of Catcher in the Rye.

Holles (see Hollis)

Holley (see Hollis)

Hollings (see Hollis)

Hollins (see Hollis)

Hollis             Old English holegn, "holly."  The holly tree is a symbol
                   of Christmas, so it's not surprising that both boys and
                   girls born during this season are often named Holly.  In
                   the United States, very few names that become popular for
                   girls continue to be used for boys, so Hollis is gradually
                   taking over as the masculine form of the name, while Holly
                   is used for girls.
      Variations:  Holles, Hollings, Hollins, Holley, Holly

Holly (see Hollis)

Homer              Greek homoros, "to be led" or "blind."  This name is more
                   popular in the United States than in England, where it is
                   very unusual.
     Famous name:  Homer (Greek poet)
      Variations:  Homere (French), Homero (Spanish), Homeros (Greek),
                   Homerus (Dutch and German), Omar, Omero (Italian)

Homere (see Homer)

Homero (see Homer)

Homeros (see Homer)

Homerus (see Homer)

Hood               Possibly a variation of Richard; also Old English hod,
                   "maker of hoods."  This name goes at least as far back as
                   Robin Hood, the legendary English outlaw.  Hood, as well as
                   its variation Hud, is becoming popular, along with other
                   short names.  The movie Hud, with Paul Newman, reintroduced
                   the name to parents in the United States.
     Famous name:  Hood Roberts (linguist)
       Variation:  Hud

Hoop (see Hooper)

Hooper             Old English hop, "maker of hoops."
        Nickname:  Hoop

Horace             Latin Horatius, a Roman family name, which may be related
                   to hora, "time."  The Roman poet Horatius Flaccus is known
                   as Horace.
    Famous names:  Horace Greeley (journalist)
                   Horace Gregory (poet)
                   Horace Mann (educator)
                   Horace Walpole (writer)
      Variations:  Horacio (Spanish), Horatio, Horatius (German), Horats
                   (Dutch), Horentino, Horis, Horsecinto, Oracio, Orasio,
                   Orazio (Italian), Racho

Horacio (see Horace)

Horatio            Variation of Horace.  Captain Horatio Hornblower is the
                   hero of the well-known stories by C.S. Forester.
    Famous names:  Horatio Alger (author)
                   Horatio Nelson (British admiral)

Horatius (see Horace)

Horats (see Horace)

Horentino (see Horace)

Horis (see Horace)

Horsecinto (see Horace)

Hosea (see Joshua)

Hosephine (see Joseph)

Houston            Old English and Scottish "Hugh's town."  Samuel Houston was
                   president of the Republic of Texas.  This name honors him.

Hovard (see Howard)

Howard             Old German Huguard, "protector of the soul," from hugu
                   [heart] + vardu [guard].  This old surname is a relatively
                   new given name.  It's recently become popular in the United
                   States.  Howard Hughes, the incredibly wealthy
                   industrialist, was in the public eye throughout his life.
                   As a young man, he was a dashing playboy; as an old man,
                   he was a bizarre recluse.
    Famous names:  Howard Fast (novelist)
                   Howard Keel (singer)
       Nicknames:  Howie, Ward
      Variations:  Hewart, Hovard

Howe (see Hugh)

Howie (see Howard)

Hoyt               Probably Irish "spirit, mind"; also, a variation of Hubert.
     Famous name:  Hoyt Wilhelm (baseball player)
  Other spelling:  Hoyte

Hoyte (see Hoyt)

Hristina (see Christian)

Hristofor (see Christopher)

Hrorek (see Roderick)

Hub                Old German hugu, "heart"; also, a form of Hubert.

Hubbard (see Hubert)

Hube (see Hubert)

Hubert             Old German Hugubert, "intelligent," from hugu [heart]
                   berhta [bright].  The eighth-century St. Hubert is the
                   patron saint of hunters.
    Famous names:  Hubert Alfred Evans (baseball player)
                   Hubert Humphrey (vice-president under Lyndon Johnson)
                   Hubert Wilkins (polar explorer)
       Nicknames:  Bert, Hube, Hubi, Hubie, Hugh
      Variations:  Herbert, Hobard, Hobart, Hoibeard (Irish), Hoyt, Hubbard,
                   Huberto (Spanish), Hugibert (German), Uberto (Italian)

Huberto (see Hubert)

Hubi, Hubie (see Hubert)

Hud (see Hood)

Hudson (see Hugh)

Huet (see Hugh)

Huey (see Hugh)

Hugh               Possibly Old German huga, "heart, mind"; also, a form of
                   Hubert.  This name was popular in England and France during
                   the Middle Ages because of St. Hugh of Lincoln, England,
                   and Hugh Capet, the founder of the Capetian dynasty in
                   France.
       Nicknames:  Hewie, Huey, Hughie, Hughy
      Variations:  Aodh (Irish), Aoidh (Scottish), Hewes, Hewett, Howe,
                   Hudson, Huet, Hughes, Hugo (Danish, Dutch, German,
                   Spanish, and Swedish), Hugolino, Hugon, Hugues (French),
                   Hutch, Hutchison, Ugo (Italian), Ugolino (Italian), Ugon

Hughes (see Hugh)

Hughie, Hughy (see Hugh)

Hugibert (see Hubert)

Hugo               Latin form of Hugh.
     Famous name:  Hugo Frank Bezdek (baseball manager)

Hugolino (see Hugh)

Hugon (see Hugh)

Hugues (see Hugh)

Humfredo (see Humphrey)

Humfrey (see Humphrey)

Humfrid (see Humphrey)

Humfried (see Humphrey)

Humfry (see Humphrey)

Hump (see Humphrey)

Humph (see Humphrey)

Humphrey           French Onfroi; possibly related to Old German Hunfrid,
                   "peace through power."  Even the well-loved actor
                   Humphrey Bogart wasn't able to attract many new parents to
                   this little-used name.  It dates to at least the twelfth
                   century in England and was the name of the unfortunate Duke
                   of Gloucester, the son of Henry IV, who was starved to
                   death in the Tower of London.
 Other spellings:  Humfrey, Humfry
       Nicknames:  Hump, Humph
      Variations:  Humfredo, Humfrid (Swedish), Humfried (German), Humphridus,
                   Hunfredo (Spanish), Numps, Onfredo (Italian), Onfroi
                   (French), Onofre (Spanish), Onofredo (Italian)

Humphridus (see Humphrey)

Hunfredo (see Humphrey)

Huram (see Hiram)

Husto (see Justin)

Hutch (see Hugh)

Hutchison (see Hugh)