This page brings together 102 English names that start with the letter H, running alphabetically from “Harry” to “Hartford.” You’ll find a rich mix of timeless classics, regal royal names, gentle nature-inspired choices, and stylish surname names used for boys, girls, and both. Parents, writers, and curious readers can use this list to find the perfect baby name, name a character, or simply explore the meaning and history behind a favorite.
English names are traditional names that grew out of England’s language and culture over many centuries. They blend Old English, Germanic, Latin, and biblical roots, and many carry meanings tied to nature, character, or rank. Famously, the name Henry was carried by eight kings of England, showing how deeply these names are woven into history and royalty.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Gender, Origin, Meaning, Famous Namesakes, and Description.
Name: This shows the exact spelling of each name, so you can compare options and quickly spot the one that catches your eye.
Gender: This tells you whether a name is typically used for boys, girls, or both, helping you narrow your search to fit your needs.
Origin: This points to the language or tradition a name comes from, giving you a sense of its background and cultural roots.
Meaning: This explains what each name signifies, so you can choose one whose message feels right and connects with your hopes.
Famous Namesakes: This lists well-known people who share the name, giving you real-world examples and a feel for its style and reputation.
Description: This offers a short, friendly summary of each name’s character and history, helping you decide if it suits you.
English names
| Name | Gender | Origin | Meaning | Famous Namesakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry | Male | English | Home ruler | Prince Harry, Harry Styles |
| Henry | Male | English | Home ruler | Henry VIII, Henry Ford |
| Harold | Male | English | Army ruler | Harold Godwinson, Harold Wilson |
| Hugh | Male | English | Mind, intellect | Hugh Grant, Hugh Jackman |
| Howard | Male | English | High guardian | Howard Carter, Howard Hughes |
| Herbert | Male | English | Bright army | Herbert Hoover |
| Hubert | Male | English | Bright heart, mind | Hubert Humphrey |
| Horace | Male | English | Timekeeper | Horace Walpole |
| Hector | Male | English | Holding fast | Hector Berlioz |
| Hadley | Unisex | English | Heather field | Hadley Richardson |
| Harrison | Male | English | Son of Harry | Harrison Ford |
| Harvey | Male | English | Battle worthy | Harvey Milk |
| Hayden | Unisex | English | Hay valley | Hayden Panettiere |
| Heath | Male | English | Heathland dweller | Heath Ledger |
| Holden | Male | English | Deep valley | Holden Caulfield |
| Houston | Unisex | English | Hugh’s town | Whitney Houston |
| Hunter | Unisex | English | One who hunts | Hunter S. Thompson |
| Hadrian | Male | English | Dark one | Emperor Hadrian |
| Halford | Male | English | Ford by the hall | Rob Halford |
| Halsey | Unisex | English | Hal’s island | Halsey (singer) |
| Hamilton | Male | English | Crooked hill | Alexander Hamilton |
| Hamish | Male | English | Supplanter | Hamish Blake |
| Hank | Male | English | Home ruler | Hank Aaron, Hank Williams |
| Hannah | Female | English | Grace, favor | Hannah Arendt |
| Harley | Unisex | English | Hare meadow | Harley Quinn |
| Harlow | Unisex | English | Army hill | Jean Harlow |
| Harmony | Female | English | Agreement, concord | Harmony Korine |
| Harriet | Female | English | Home ruler | Harriet Tubman |
| Hattie | Female | English | Home ruler | Hattie McDaniel |
| Hayley | Female | English | Hay meadow | Hayley Mills |
| Hazel | Female | English | The hazel tree | Hazel Scott |
| Heather | Female | English | The heather plant | Heather Locklear |
| Helen | Female | English | Bright, shining light | Helen Keller, Helen Mirren |
| Henrietta | Female | English | Home ruler | Henrietta Lacks |
| Hilda | Female | English | Battle woman | Hilda of Whitby |
| Holly | Female | English | The holly tree | Holly Hunter |
| Hope | Female | English | Optimism, expectation | Hope Solo |
| Honey | Female | English | Sweet, honey | Honey Boo Boo |
| Hyacinth | Female | English | The hyacinth flower | Hyacinth Bucket |
| Hettie | Female | English | Home ruler | Hettie Jones |
| Halle | Female | English | Hall meadow | Halle Berry |
| Hadassah | Female | English | Myrtle tree | Hadassah Lieberman |
| Heidi | Female | English | Noble, nobility | Heidi Klum |
| Helena | Female | English | Bright, shining light | Helena Bonham Carter |
| Heloise | Female | English | Famous warrior | Heloise d’Argenteuil |
| Hester | Female | English | Star | Hester Prynne |
| Hilary | Unisex | English | Cheerful, happy | Hilary Swank |
| Honor | Female | English | Honor, esteem | Honor Blackman |
| Hadwin | Male | English | War friend | — |
| Halbert | Male | English | Bright hero | — |
| Halden | Male | English | Half Dane | — |
| Hale | Male | English | Nook, hollow | Nathan Hale |
| Halsten | Male | English | Rock stone | — |
| Hardy | Male | English | Bold, brave | Thomas Hardy |
| Harlan | Male | English | Rocky land | Harlan Ellison |
| Harman | Male | English | Army man | — |
| Harton | Male | English | Hare town | — |
| Haward | Male | English | High guardian | — |
| Hawthorne | Male | English | Hawthorn tree | Nathaniel Hawthorne |
| Heaton | Male | English | High enclosure | — |
| Hemming | Male | English | Shape-shifter | — |
| Henley | Unisex | English | High meadow | Don Henley |
| Herrick | Male | English | Army ruler | Robert Herrick |
| Hewitt | Male | English | Little Hugh | Jennifer Love Hewitt |
| Hilton | Male | English | Hill town | Conrad Hilton |
| Hobson | Male | English | Son of Robert | — |
| Hollis | Unisex | English | Holly trees | — |
| Holt | Male | English | Woodland | — |
| Homer | Male | English | Pledge, security | Homer Simpson |
| Hopkin | Male | English | Little Robert | — |
| Horatio | Male | English | Timekeeper | Horatio Nelson |
| Houghton | Male | English | Settlement on a spur | — |
| Humphrey | Male | English | Peaceful warrior | Humphrey Bogart |
| Huxley | Male | English | Hugh’s meadow | Aldous Huxley |
| Hyde | Male | English | Hide of land | Edward Hyde |
| Halford | Male | English | Ford near the hall | — |
| Harding | Male | English | Brave, hardy | Warren Harding |
| Harford | Male | English | Stag ford | — |
| Hargrove | Male | English | Grey grove | — |
| Hartwell | Male | English | Stag’s spring | — |
| Hartley | Unisex | English | Stag meadow | — |
| Haskell | Male | English | God’s helmet | — |
| Hadleigh | Unisex | English | Heath clearing | — |
| Harlon | Male | English | Hare’s land | — |
| Harman | Male | English | Soldier | — |
| Hartman | Male | English | Strong man | — |
| Haven | Unisex | English | Safe place | — |
| Hayes | Unisex | English | Hedged area | Rutherford B. Hayes |
| Heaven | Female | English | Paradise, sky | — |
| Hester | Female | English | Star | Hester Stanhope |
| Hilde | Female | English | Battle | — |
| Honora | Female | English | Honor | — |
| Huntley | Unisex | English | Hunter’s meadow | — |
| Hadwyn | Male | English | War companion | — |
| Halcyon | Unisex | English | Calm, kingfisher | — |
| Harlee | Unisex | English | Hare meadow | — |
| Hayward | Male | English | Hedge guardian | Susan Hayward |
| Heron | Unisex | English | The heron bird | — |
| Hollyn | Female | English | Holly | — |
| Huey | Male | English | Mind, intellect | Huey Lewis |
| Hewett | Male | English | Little Hugh | — |
| Hartford | Male | English | Stag river crossing | — |
Descriptions
Harry
A friendly, enduring English classic and the traditional pet form of Henry, beloved through royalty and pop culture alike.
Henry
A regal English name carried by eight kings of England, evoking strength, leadership, and timeless tradition.
Harold
An Old English royal name famously borne by the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, with a sturdy, vintage feel.
Hugh
A short, dignified English name rooted in ideas of intelligence and spirit, popular among British actors.
Howard
A polished surname-turned-first-name suggesting protection and watchfulness, with a distinguished mid-century charm.
Herbert
A traditional Germanic-English name evoking brilliance and military glory, fashionable in the Victorian era.
Hubert
An old-fashioned name meaning a shining intellect, associated with the patron saint of hunters.
Horace
A classical name borrowed from the Roman poet, carrying a scholarly, literary air.
Hector
A heroic name drawn from Greek legend’s Trojan prince, signifying steadfastness and courage.
Hadley
A breezy, nature-inspired surname name meaning a meadow of heather, increasingly popular for girls.
Harrison
A strong surname name meaning son of Harry, lent star power by the famous actor.
Harvey
A warm, slightly retro English name suggesting bravery in battle, now back in vogue.
Hayden
A gentle place-name meaning a valley of hay, used for both boys and girls.
Heath
A crisp nature name describing one who lives near open moorland, popularized by the late actor.
Holden
A literary name meaning a hollow valley, made iconic by the hero of The Catcher in the Rye.
Houston
A bold place and surname name meaning Hugh’s settlement, with American resonance.
Hunter
A rugged occupational name describing a pursuer of game, popular for its outdoorsy energy.
Hadrian
A distinguished Roman-rooted name linked to the emperor who built Hadrian’s Wall across Britain.
Halford
A rare surname name meaning a river crossing near a manor, with a stately ring.
Halsey
A modern, edgy surname name meaning a clearing belonging to Hal, popularized by the musician.
Hamilton
A grand surname name meaning a flat-topped hill, given new life by the hit musical.
Hamish
An English-anglicized form of James, brisk and charming with a slightly Scottish flavor.
Hank
A rugged, all-American short form of Henry, evoking blue-collar warmth and grit.
Hannah
A graceful, palindromic name meaning divine favor, a perennial favorite for girls.
Harley
A spirited nature name meaning a meadow of hares, also linked to the famous motorcycle brand.
Harlow
A glamorous surname name meaning a mound near rocks, with vintage Hollywood allure.
Harmony
A melodic virtue name signifying balance and accord, popular for its peaceful sound.
Harriet
The feminine form of Harry, a strong, vintage English name carried by trailblazing reformers.
Hattie
A sweet, old-fashioned pet form of Harriet, charming and full of antique character.
Hayley
A cheerful nature name meaning a meadow of hay, a popular spelling of the classic Hailey.
Hazel
A warm botanical name referring to the hazel tree and its golden-brown nut, now hugely fashionable.
Heather
A pretty Scottish-English flower name evoking purple moorland blooms, beloved since the 1970s.
Helen
A luminous classic meaning radiant light, immortalized by Helen of Troy and admired for ages.
Henrietta
An elegant, elaborate feminine form of Henry with a stately, regal Victorian appeal.
Hilda
A strong, old Germanic-English name meaning a warrior, with a sturdy vintage charm.
Holly
A festive botanical name for the evergreen holly, popular for winter-born girls.
Hope
A bright virtue name expressing faith in the future, simple and uplifting.
Honey
An endearing nature and term-of-affection name suggesting sweetness and warmth.
Hyacinth
A lush floral name for the fragrant spring bloom, with a refined, theatrical flair.
Hettie
A cozy diminutive of Henrietta or Harriet, brimming with vintage sweetness.
Halle
A graceful name meaning a clearing near a manor hall, popularized by the Oscar-winning actress.
Hadassah
A botanical name meaning the myrtle tree, the Hebrew birth name of Queen Esther.
Heidi
A bright, cheerful name meaning of noble kind, made famous by the beloved Alpine storybook girl.
Helena
An ornate, luminous form of Helen meaning radiant light, favored for its lyrical elegance.
Heloise
A romantic, scholarly name meaning renowned fighter, tied to a famous medieval love story.
Hester
A vintage variant of Esther meaning star, made literary by The Scarlet Letter’s heroine.
Hilary
A bright, upbeat name meaning joyful, used for both sexes and tied to a Christian feast season.
Honor
A dignified virtue name signifying integrity and high respect, crisp and timeless.
Hadwin
A rare Old English name meaning a friend in battle, evoking loyalty and courage.
Halbert
An uncommon vintage name meaning a shining champion, with a noble, antique tone.
Halden
A historic English name meaning half-Danish, echoing the Anglo-Scandinavian past of Britain.
Hale
A short, strong surname name meaning one who lives in a corner of land, also implying robust health.
Halsten
A rugged, rare name combining ideas of stone and strength, with a sturdy medieval feel.
Hardy
A spirited surname name meaning courageous and resilient, shared with the celebrated novelist.
Harlan
A handsome surname name meaning a meadow of hares or rocky terrain, with frontier character.
Harman
A vintage occupational name meaning a soldier, sturdy and straightforward.
Harton
A rare place-name meaning a settlement frequented by hares, with rustic English charm.
Haward
An old variant of Howard meaning a noble protector, with a watchful, dignified air.
Hawthorne
A literary nature surname meaning hedge of thorn bushes, evoking the famous American author.
Heaton
A surname name meaning a homestead on high ground, with a solid, landed feel.
Hemming
A rare antique name with roots suggesting transformation, carrying an air of Norse-English legend.
Henley
A polished place-name meaning a high clearing, tied to the famous Thames rowing regatta.
Herrick
A poetic surname name meaning a powerful leader, shared with the lyrical English poet.
Hewitt
A genteel surname name meaning small Hugh, with a refined, intellectual undertone.
Hilton
A polished surname name meaning a settlement on a hill, associated with the hotel dynasty.
Hobson
A sturdy surname name meaning son of Hob, a medieval nickname for Robert.
Hollis
A nature surname name meaning one who dwells near holly bushes, gently unisex and crisp.
Holt
A short, earthy nature name meaning a small wood or copse, with a grounded, modern appeal.
Homer
A classical name borrowed from the ancient Greek epic poet, both scholarly and cartoonishly familiar.
Hopkin
A quaint medieval pet form of Robert, with rustic English warmth.
Horatio
A grand classical name tied to Lord Nelson and Hamlet’s loyal friend, full of heroic gravitas.
Houghton
A stately surname name meaning a homestead on a hill ridge, with old landed-gentry resonance.
Humphrey
A noble name meaning a peaceful champion, lent timeless cool by the Hollywood screen legend.
Huxley
A smart, stylish surname name meaning Hugh’s clearing, tied to the visionary English writer.
Hyde
A short, atmospheric surname name meaning a measure of farmland, with a literary, shadowy edge.
Halford
A rare estate name meaning a river crossing by a manor, with a dignified rural feel.
Harding
A strong surname name meaning son of the courageous one, with presidential associations.
Harford
A rustic place-name meaning a river crossing used by deer, evoking woodland England.
Hargrove
A handsome surname name meaning a hoary or grey woodland, with a settled, pastoral charm.
Hartwell
A gentle place-name meaning a spring frequented by deer, peaceful and bucolic.
Hartley
A pretty nature surname meaning a clearing where deer roam, light and increasingly unisex.
Haskell
A scholarly surname name with roots in divine protection, lent recognition by the programming language.
Hadleigh
An elaborate spelling of Hadley meaning a meadow of heather, with a soft, lyrical lilt.
Harlon
A variant of Harlan meaning rocky or hare-filled ground, with quiet frontier appeal.
Harman
A solid occupational surname name meaning an army man, plain and dependable.
Hartman
A sturdy surname name meaning a brave or hardy person, with a grounded, robust feel.
Haven
A serene word name meaning a refuge or harbor, gentle and comforting for either sex.
Hayes
A trim surname name meaning land enclosed by a hedge, sleek and modern as a first name.
Heaven
A celestial word name meaning the heavens above, soft and dreamily aspirational.
Hester
A vintage star name and form of Esther, with a quietly literary, antique grace.
Hilde
A short, strong name meaning warfare, a brisk diminutive of Hilda with Germanic roots.
Honora
A graceful Latinate name meaning esteem and dignity, elegant and old-fashioned.
Huntley
A refined surname name meaning a clearing used for hunting, with an outdoorsy polish.
Hadwyn
A rare antique name meaning a friend in conflict, evoking medieval loyalty.
Halcyon
A poetic name meaning peaceful and serene, drawn from the mythical bird of tranquil seas.
Harlee
A modern respelling of Harley meaning a meadow of hares, fresh and playful.
Hayward
An occupational surname name meaning a keeper of fences and fields, with rustic dignity.
Heron
A graceful nature name for the long-legged wading bird, slender and quietly elegant.
Hollyn
A modern blend name rooted in the evergreen holly, soft and contemporary.
Huey
A breezy pet form of Hugh meaning bright spirit, casual and good-natured.
Hewett
A vintage surname name meaning small Hugh, with a genteel, understated charm.
Hartford
A stately place-name meaning a ford used by deer, shared with the New England city.