Heinrich (German)
Where does "Heinrich" come from?
The name Heinrich originates from the Proto-Germanic *Haimarīks, a compound combining *haimaz ('home') and *rīks ('king'). This ancient name evolved through Old High German before branching into various forms across Europe, including the English Henry and the French Henri. It reflects an early Germanic tradition of naming nobility that literally translates to 'ruler of the home'.
Full etymology tree
- Heinrich (German), 'a male given name from Old High German, feminine equivalent Heike or Henny, equivalent to English Henry; diminutive forms Heiko, Heine, Heiner, Heinz, Hein'
- inherited Haimirich (Old High German)
- inherited *Haimarīk (Proto-West Germanic)
- compound *haimaz (Proto-Germanic), 'home'
- inherited *ḱóymos (Proto-Indo-European), 'homely, kin'
- derived *ḱey- (Proto-Indo-European), 'to be lying down'
- inherited *ḱóymos (Proto-Indo-European), 'homely, kin'
- inherited *Haimarīks (Proto-Germanic), 'a male given name'
- compound *rīks (Proto-Germanic), 'king, ruler'
- borrowed *rīxs (Proto-Celtic), 'king'
- inherited *h₃rḗǵs (Proto-Indo-European), 'king, ruler'
- derived *h₃reǵ- (Proto-Indo-European), 'to straighten'
- inherited *h₃rḗǵs (Proto-Indo-European), 'king, ruler'
- borrowed *rīxs (Proto-Celtic), 'king'
- compound *rīks (Proto-Germanic), 'king, ruler'
- compound *haimaz (Proto-Germanic), 'home'
- inherited *Haimarīk (Proto-West Germanic)
- inherited Haimirich (Old High German)
Ancestors
- *Haimarīks (Proto-Germanic)
Cognates and doublets
- Henrik (Danish)
- Hendrik (Dutch)
- Henry (English)
- Henri (French)
Updated June 2026
Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris