Harry

It’s a good name but too associated with that idiot Prince Harry and Harry Potter.

Considering the controversy surrounding JK Rowling and her works, whatever way you happen to lean, I would probably caution at least careful consideration before giving the name Harry to a kid if it's just because of Harry Potter.

Incredibly popular in the UK. It doesn't sound like "hairy" in our accents. I don't get it personally though, it's an OK name but way overrated in this country.

Meaning Usage Pronunciation Famous Impression Other
Harry is an amazing name, although my friend has a brother named Harry, it gives me bad vibes, like ha - iry
No one wants their kid called Hairy.

It's not very popular or common here in the USA. It's become outdated. Even if it hadn't I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Prince Harry has ruined this name.

I'm not a fan of this name. Harry Potter is extremely overrated, I hate Harry Styles' music, and then there's that spoiled brat of a prince Harry.

Boring.

Silly and old-fashioned. Sounds like hairy. It's almost never used in America anymore. For some reason it's still very popular in the land of poor taste. I know that Prince Harry never liked his name. When he was a bachelor, he went to a nightclub in my city and told some girl his name was Gary. He probably wished it were.

Sounds ugly and unattractive, reminds me of the word hairy.

I was never a fan of Harry Potter or One Direction, so I think that this name just sounds like either an old man or a little boy’s name.

It's a handsome name but the pronunciation sounds like "hairy", like if a boy with this name had long hair. I dislike men with long hair, though.

Harry Potter ruined this name.

I despise it! It always reminds me of hairy: Hairy Harry.

This is the name of my boyfriend and I think it is gorgeous, I love everything about it and I love that it is popular. I don't particularly like the name Henry but that is just my personal opinion. I think that Harry is a perfect name.

I love this name, but would love it more if we pronounced it with a British or Australian accent. Like someone mentioned, this name can be a musician name or a professional name. I think of Harry Chapin, Harry Styles, Prince Harry, Harry S. Truman, and when Harry met Sally before Harry Potter (but I still do think of Harry Potter). I do predict this name will be on the rise though due to Harry Styles and Prince Harry.

Ewww like hairy? Actually nvm! This name should be just Harr so then your kid can be named hair like luxurious hair. Like if your kid had long hair?

To be honest, I can only think of Harry Style and Harry Potter whenever I hear this name, but it’s not bad.

Harry Potter might be unusual, but he certainly doesn’t have an unusual name.

Sounds wet, not my favourite name at all, wouldn't use it.

I like this name because of Harry Potter. I am a huge Harry Potter fan. Great name.

Just one question. If people can use Harry as a formal name and it is so popular, then why do some people frown upon using names like Billy, Danny, Johnny, Sammy etc?, as Harry is a diminutive of Henry.

I was a huge Harry Potter fan until I found out JK Rowling was transphobic. I hate Harry Potter now because of that. I actually would not name my kid after a character in a fictional story anyway, but the association with Harry Potter really makes it bad for me now. You have your opinion though.

Harry is a pretty decent boy's name that sounds rather vintage without it sounding abundantly old fashioned. Another attribute that I have noticed is the simplicity of this name which is an additional bonus in my book.

This name, it seems it can suit both people in the entertainment industry (such as Harry Styles, Harry Melling, Harry Shum Jr., etc.) or someone more professional (like Harry S. Truman). It ages well, and I don't mind that it sounds like "hairy". In fact, since I'm a Harry Potter fan, I joke about it with my friends.

Harry is my uncle's name. It's a good name, and doesn't sound like hairy with the proper pronunciation. The American pronunciation makes it sound like that.

The name reminds me of Harry Potter. What a pretty, nice name. It is a wonderful British name.

I really hate this name. Who would name their child such a revolting name? Imagine being called "Hairy" everyday by everybody you meet? Honestly, it's makes me sad just thinking about it...

This is overused, childish and very unlikeable. I would like Harri, Hari or Harrie. It is just annoying the way so many people use it. If I had a child, I would name him/her Callum/Tanya.

I quite like this name & wish it was not so terribly popular, as I would then consider naming my child this. I can understand why some American commenters aren't so keen, since the way "Harry" and "Hairy" are pronounced similarly in that accent. In the UK & Australia, it is pronounced differently, so doesn't have the gross "hairy" connotation so much, which would turn me off too. I usually think of Prince Harry or this nice old man my aunty used to care for named Harry when I hear this name.
It's one of those old, plain classics along with Fred, Elizabeth, William, Katherine etc.

As an American with a son and a father named Harry, I find it to be an absolute classic. My 9 year old adores it as Harry Potter, Harry Styles, and Prince Harry make it quite acceptable stateside. Great American option because still not overly popular here. He often comments how he is happy to be to Jackson H. Or Mason C. Because there are so many in each class.

I prefer the pronunciation HAR-ee to HER-ee.

I would never name a child Harry because it sounds exactly like Hairy. Also, it is a name associated too closely to Harry Potter. Not that I don't like Harry Potter, of course.

I ♡ this brilliant & amazing name! :D I know many people think of Harry Styles and Harry Potter whenever they hear this name BUT it's still one of those classic names that shouldn't be considered as ruined, unusable etc. just because of popular culture. It's actually pretty popular in the UK. Here in the UK our accents don't make Harry sound anywhere near to 'Hairy' as it's pronounced HA-ree (obviously in a non-US way). Overall, I'm definitely considering this beauty of a name. Xx.

Sorry I don't really like this name... whenever I hear this name I think of Hairy...

I feel bad for saying this because I an completely obsessed with Harry Potter, but really? Harry is a hideous name! I don't understand why it's #1 in england... who would name their kid "Hairy"?

In response to the previous comment, 7/6/2013: Because, surprisingly, we don't speak with American accents in the UK. Harry and hairy sound nothing alike here.

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I think Harry is a brilliant name. A good, strong English classic which I can see working on any boy or man. Very handsome!

Harry is a pretty nice name! Harry Potter rocks as well. Harry is a strong name, tough and wholesome. It is a wonderful British name.

This probably wouldn't count as a "famous bearer" comment, but the subject of this comment is famous among my family; Harry the cat.

Reminds me of hairy!

Henry is decidedly better! Harry sounds so provincial!

Popular literature aside, I think Harry is just a dumb-sounding name, even when pronounced the English way. 'Hah' and 'ree' sounds like what a clown would say to express surprise. But I've never been a fan of male names ending in y because they sound a bit kiddish. Male or Female, y-ending names are okay for nicknames, but sometimes adults need something more mature sounding. I feel that someone with the name 'Harry' as a full name gets the short end of the stick.

I like the name Harry but I immediately think of Harry Potter as I'm fan. Aside from that, I think it's a good simple name. What's strange is that I don't like Gary, Barry or Larry but I like Harry.

I think Harry is a cute name (if you don't pronounce it the American way as "hairy" - luckily most of the world doesn't!).

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The only thing that puts me off a bit is that to "harry" someone means to torment or bother them. It seems a bit like calling your kid Pest or Menace.

My dad's name is Harry and all you people saying that it reminds you of "hairy" are ridiculous. Normal people do not make that connection at all because it is a NAME, not an adjective.

I would like this name if we in America pronounced it the same as the British do. I don't much care for its association with "hairy." Although I do love Harry Potter!

This is the name of my youngest brother, and he wasn't named after Harry Potter at all. He was named after my father's father Harold. At first I still didn't like the name (I thought it sounded like a big dumb bully), but it grew on me. Now I think it's very special.

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I like that it has such a huge association to the wizard, though. It does more justice than harm. Even if you get teased, there's no insult being called a hero, now is there?

It's a nice name, but people are just using it because of those overrated Harry Potter books. It also sounds like "hairy", which isn't good either.

I think this is a good name. Even that dratted Harry Smotter or Potter or whoever can't ruin this name for me.

I don't really like this name, as it reminds me of names like Barry, Larry, and Gary, which always make me think of unbearable middle-aged guys. However, this name isn't quite as bad. I don't read Harry Potter books, but their popularity has had an impact on the impression this name gives to people.

I've always thought that Harry was the most awesome name and can't imagine being named anything else. I'm lucky, since my middle name is Henry I'm basically named Harry twice. ;) There can be two frustrations with the name; the oldest one is people assuming the name is a nickname for Harrison. I have gotten this all the time since I was little. Harry is its own name; Harrison is derived from Harry, not the other way around! The other is more recent is people associating it with Harry Potter. Almost every time I meet someone they bring Harry Potter up. They're always shocked to find out I've never read or seen any of the books or movies.

I love the name Harry, it's a very pleasant sounding masculine name. It's a shame people with this name get picked on so much.

This is my other favorite boy's name, and it seems there aren't many boys in this country with the name Harry. I must admit, though, it's partly because of "Harry Potter" that I like this name so much.

EWWW! I hate this name! Who would name their child "hairy"?

Americans seem to think that Harry is almost always associated with Harry Potter, and it's not really. In the UK, Harry is a VERY popular name. I know about six or seven Harrys. One of my two sons is named this, after my husband's father. I think it's a very fitting name. Common, yet each Harry I know has made it unique to himself.

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PS-Harry is NOT short for Harold, or Harrison in the Harry Potter books. His full first name is Harry. I get very mad when people assume it's short for something. I mean, think about it- When you were a child and got in trouble, adults would normally call you by your full name, not a nick name.

Harry is a cute name, especially when the Harry Potter series came out. It may be the butt of certain jokes, but all-in-all it's a good name.

This is the name of my persian cat and it suits him a lot. He acts just like a human Harry would with a hat on in a 1940s movie. I don't know why, he just does.

Harry is a really cute name! It suits Harry Potter and I couldn't think of his name being anything else!

Harry is a wonderful name, especially after JK Rowling turned it into a name of mystery and wonder, as Harry Potter is the "Chosen One" to defeat Voldemort.