How to say it
HANK
/hæŋk/
Masculine
Hank
Home-ruler
What it means
A medieval English short for Henry, by way of Hankin, from Germanic 'home' plus 'ruler.'
Hank started as a medieval nickname for Henry, through the pet form Hankin, and carries Henry's meaning, 'ruler of the home.' It has a plainspoken, all-American swagger, worn by greats like home-run king Hank Aaron and country pioneer Hank Williams, with King of the Hill's Hank Hill on the lighter side. Once a Henry short, it now stands proudly on its own. Retro and warm.
Popularity over time
peaked at #413 in 2025, currently #413 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–present. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
A medieval short for Henry, long since a standalone name.
- Pop culture
Hank Aaron, Hank Williams, and Hank Hill.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Hank Aaron Hall of Fame baseball home-run record holder
- Hank Williams pioneering country music singer-songwriter
Spelling variants
- Hanke
- Henry
Names with the same feeling
See Hank from another angle
By meaning
By style