Henry in Chinese
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: ruler of the home
The standard Chinese transliteration of Henry, pronounced Hēng Lì. The characters are chosen for sound: 亨 (hēng, "prosperous, smooth-going"), 利 (lì, "benefit, sharp"). Native speakers will immediately recognize it as the name Henry.
Character Breakdown
Note: Reads as the name "Henry" to native speakers; the characters are chosen for sound, so don't expect a poetic meaning. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
A Chinese-style given name inspired by the meaning of Henry ("ruler of the home"), expressing nobility and greatness: 宏 (hóng, "grand, vast") + 远 (yuǎn, "far, distant, profound").
Character Breakdown
Note: A meaning-based Chinese given name; it will not sound like your English name, so pair it with an explanation if that matters to you. Traditional form 宏遠 differs from simplified 宏远; pick one script and keep it consistent. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
Opens with 亨 (hēng, "prosperous, smooth-going"), which echoes the first sound of Henry (Hēng), and adds 宇 (yǔ, "universe; eaves") for nobility and greatness. It reads like a natural Chinese given name with a nod to your English one.
Character Breakdown
Note: Looks and sounds like a genuine Chinese given name while still echoing your name; a popular choice for tattoos. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write Henry in Chinese?
The most common way is 亨利 (traditional: 亨利), pronounced Hēng Lì. This is the standard phonetic transliteration you would see in Chinese media and translations.
What does 亨利 mean?
亨利 is a sound-based transliteration, so as a whole it simply means "Henry". Individually: 亨 (hēng) = prosperous, smooth-going; 利 (lì) = benefit, sharp. If you want real meaning, try 宏远 (Hóng Yuǎn), inspired by the meaning of Henry: "ruler of the home".
Which Chinese name for Henry is best for a tattoo?
Choose 亨利 if you want people to recognize your name, 宏远 if you prefer meaning over sound, or 亨宇 for a natural-sounding Chinese name that still echoes Henry. Whatever you pick, use a calligraphy font and ask a native speaker to check the final design.