English names find their origins in various places. Guinevere, from the Arthurian legends, for example, has spun off into a variety of names ranging from Jane and Joan to the more modern versions of it such as Gwendolyn and Jennifer to a variety of others. In the medieval world, where literacy was not widespread, curious variants of names developed and were passed down through generations. Henry finds its origins in French, as it evolved from “Old French” into the modern language we understand today. The French Henri became the more anglicized Henry. As sons were often named for their fathers and even grandfathers, it wasn’t uncommon for a kind of endearing nickname or diminutive to be applied to the younger male in order to distinguish him from his father or other elder. Hence, Harry as a nominal substitute for Henry in informal usage. There are other names that have this same variety: John becomes Jack, for example, Christopher or Christian becomes Chris, Lawrence becomes Larry, Matthew becomes Matt or even Matty. Harry is used to distinguish between the younger Henry and the elder Henry, rather than have to attach the suffix “Junior” or provide a number (Henry III) to it. And female names are also similarly shortened or “nicked,” as Julia becomes Julie, Catherine becomes Cathy, Madeline becomes Maddy, etc. Harry seems to be a bit of a stretch for Henry, but it’s difficult to come up with a diminutive for Henry-”Hen” or “Henny?” Harry just seems easier.
Harry is not a shortened form of Henry
English names find their origins in various places. Guinevere, from the Arthurian legends, for example, has spun off into a variety of names ranging from Jane and Joan to the more modern versions of it such as Gwendolyn and Jennifer to a variety of others. In the medieval world, where literacy was not widespread, curious variants of names developed and were passed down through generations. Henry finds its origins in French, as it evolved from “Old French” into the modern language we understand today. The French Henri became the more anglicized Henry. As sons were often named for their fathers and even grandfathers, it wasn’t uncommon for a kind of endearing nickname or diminutive to be applied to the younger male in order to distinguish him from his father or other elder. Hence, Harry as a nominal substitute for Henry in informal usage. There are other names that have this same variety: John becomes Jack, for example, Christopher or Christian becomes Chris, Lawrence becomes Larry, Matthew becomes Matt or even Matty. Harry is used to distinguish between the younger Henry and the elder Henry, rather than have to attach the suffix “Junior” or provide a number (Henry III) to it. And female names are also similarly shortened or “nicked,” as Julia becomes Julie, Catherine becomes Cathy, Madeline becomes Maddy, etc. Harry seems to be a bit of a stretch for Henry, but it’s difficult to come up with a diminutive for Henry-”Hen” or “Henny?” Harry just seems easier.