Hank

boyEnglish

Hank is an boy name of English, from Germanic origin, meaning “Ruler of the home (as Henry)”.

MeaningRuler of the home (as Henry)
GenderBoy
OriginEnglish, from Germanic
PronunciationHANGK
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited States

Meaning and origin of Hank

Hank started as a medieval English pet form of John, via Hankin, but in America it became firmly attached to Henry, possibly influenced by Dutch Henk. Through Henry it goes back to the Germanic elements heim, home, and ric, ruler. Hank Williams and Hank Aaron made it familiar in the twentieth century, and it now has a revival as a friendly, retro full name.

Is Hank a religious name?

Hank has no religious background; it is a nickname-name of Germanic origin.

How popular is Hank?

Mostly American, recently revived as a stand-alone name.

Gifts with the name Hank

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Spellings and variants of Hank

HenryHenkHendrik

Names similar to Hank

More boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Hank mean?

Hank means 'Ruler of the home (as Henry)'. It is of English, from Germanic origin.

Does Hank have a religious meaning?

Hank has no religious background; it is a nickname-name of Germanic origin.

How do you pronounce Hank?

Hank is pronounced HANGK.

Is Hank a boy or girl name?

Hank is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.