Boy Names That Start With H, Popular and Rare Picks
Currently popular H names for boys
- Henry (German, from Heimirich, meaning home ruler, a mainstay of the US top 100)
- Hudson (English, originally a surname meaning son of Hudde)
- Hunter (English, an occupational surname used directly as a given name)
- Hayden (English, originally a surname meaning hay valley)
Rare and distinctive H names for boys
- Hugo (Latin, meaning mind or intellect)
- Harold (Scandinavian roots, meaning army ruler)
- Houston (Scottish, meaning Hugh’s town)
Quick facts
| Common origins | German, English, Scandinavian |
| Common meaning themes | rulership, intellect, occupational surnames |
| Note | Hudson has climbed sharply in recent years, moving from a surname into one of the more common H first names for boys |
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular boy’s name starting with H?
Henry has been a consistent top-100 name for boys in the US for years, alongside Hudson and Hunter.
Is Hugo related to Henry?
No, they’re unrelated. Hugo comes from Latin roots meaning mind or intellect, while Henry comes from German roots meaning home ruler.
Related reading
Girl equivalent: girl names starting with H. Broader style-based list: cute and cool boy names.