I am starting to really adore the name [name]Harry[/name]. But I wonder, can it stand alone? I know [name]Prince[/name] [name]Harry[/name] is a [name]Henry[/name], but [name]Truman[/name] and the boy wizard are both [name]Harrys[/name].
My other favorites are [name]Theodore[/name] “[name]Theo[/name]”, [name]August[/name] “[name]Gus[/name]”, and [name]Phoebe[/name] “[name]Bea[/name]”. [name]Henry[/name] to [name]Harry[/name] doesn’t feel that natural and I don’t think people who aren’t name needs will “get” it. [name]Henry[/name] is very popular in my area (NYC) but it is a family name and would be a great way to honor relatives as a proper name for a little [name]Harry[/name].
So which is it: [name]Henry[/name] “[name]Harry[/name]” or just [name]Harry[/name]?
I know two (grown-up) [name]Harrys[/name] and one baby [name]Harry[/name], all of whom are just [name]Harry[/name], and I [name]LOVE[/name] this name. Unfortunately, it’s the name of a very close family member (just [name]Harry[/name], not [name]Henry[/name]), so it’s unusable for us. But overall it is absolutely usable, and that’s coming from someone who dislikes nicknames as full names ([name]Sam[/name], [name]Max[/name], etc.). [name]Harry[/name] is a valid name on its own – a classy, sophisticated, and respectable name that’s great on a baby and on a man. [name]Love[/name] it.
I’m a little confused because it seems like you both want to use [name]Harry[/name] alone but also want to use [name]Henry[/name]. Either is totally fine. I think in [name]America[/name], I would go straight to [name]Harry[/name] because it seems like a VERY English thing to do to give your child a nickname that is just as long as the full name. Or, if you want to honor family, go for [name]Henry[/name]. Or, call him [name]Harry[/name] and say it’s for [name]Henry[/name], but with a twist. Really, you can do whatever you want here. [name]Harry[/name] can take it.
I think [name]Harry[/name] can stand alone…but if you are searching for a longer name and want to use [name]Harry[/name] as a nn, have you thought about [name]Harrison[/name]? I don’t think the [name]Henry[/name] to [name]Harry[/name] transition makes much sense, [name]IMO[/name].
I know plenty of classics well-used in the US where the nickname is as long as the name, or longer. [name]John[/name] - [name]Johnny[/name] or [name]Jack[/name]? [name]William[/name] - [name]Billy[/name]? I’ve known a handful of American-born guys using [name]Henry[/name] NN [name]Harry[/name] combo.
At least in [name]East[/name] Coast USA, [name]Henry[/name] can have nicknames of [name]Harry[/name], [name]Hal[/name], or [name]Hank[/name].
I will say that as an American married to an Aussie, [name]Henry[/name] NN [name]Hank[/name] is considered very, very American (and was vetoed by my husband) but [name]Henry[/name] NN [name]Harry[/name] is more general. And most Hals are older men.
My concern about [name]Harry[/name] in [name]America[/name] is I’ve heard some NYers say [name]Harry[/name] exactly as they say Hairy.
I would do [name]Henry[/name] NN [name]Harry[/name]. And it would be a family connection, which I think is cool. And much less trendy feeling than [name]Harrison[/name], which I don’t care for.
[name]Just[/name] [name]Harry[/name]! I love [name]Harry[/name], it’s so refreshing to hear nowadays. Also, [name]Harrison[/name] could work as a full name.