"son of Hendry (Henry)"
Origin: Scottish
Language: English
Henderson
Pronunciation: [ h-EHND-ers-uhn ]
Does Henderson flow with your last name?
A distinguished surname with old-world authority
Scottish
English
American
Caribbean
Strong
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Sophisticated
Bold
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Meaning & Origin
"son of the home ruler"
Origin: Old High German via Scottish
Language: English
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The Story of Henderson
Henderson is a Scottish and English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Hendry,' where Hendry is the Scottish form of Henry. Henry itself derives from the Old High German name Heimirich, composed of 'heim' (home) and 'ric' (ruler, power) — meaning 'ruler of the home' or 'home power.' The -son suffix indicates patrilineal descent. Henderson as a given name follows the broader 21st-century trend of using distinguished-sounding surnames as first names.
Henderson has emerged as a fashionable given name in the United States in the 2010s-2020s as parents sought surname-style names with a distinguished, professional ring. The trend of using Scottish and English surnames as given names — Anderson, Harrison, Emerson — has carried Henderson along.
Henderson is a common surname in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and among Caribbean communities of Scottish descent. As a given name it carries the polished, professional quality associated with surname-as-first-name naming, while its Scottish heritage gives it a sense of tradition and substance.
Historical Record
Henderson first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,804 babies have been named Henderson in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Henderson is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,087 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Henderson, Nevada is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, keeping the name prominent
- Jordan Henderson, the former Liverpool FC and England captain, has brought the name sporting prestige
- Henderson is among the top 100 surnames in Scotland
Henderson in Other Languages
French
Henderson
Spanish
Henderson
Scottish Gaelic
Mac Eanraig (son of Henry)
Popularity Over Time
#2,087
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Henderson
J
Jordan Henderson
Athlete
1990
English professional footballer, former Liverpool FC captain, and England national team captain who led Liverpool to the...
English professional footballer, former Liverpool FC captain, and England national team captain who led Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2020
R
Rickey Henderson
Athlete
1958
American baseball player, the all-time stolen base leader in MLB history and Hall of Famer
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Compare Henderson with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,087
- Total SSA Count
- 72
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish English American Caribbean
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Hendo
Henry
Denny
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Henderson
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Henderson
What does the name Henderson mean?
"son of Hendry (Henry)" (from Scottish). "son of the home ruler" (from Old High German via Scottish). Henderson is a Scottish and English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Hendry,' where Hendry is the Scottish form of Henry. Henry itself derives from the Old High German name Heimirich, composed of 'heim' (home) and 'ric' (ruler, power) — meaning 'ruler of the home' or 'home power.' The -son suffix indicates patrilineal descent. Henderson as a given name follows the broader 21st-century trend of using distinguished-sounding surnames as first names.
What is the origin of the name Henderson?
Henderson has Scottish, Old High German via Scottish, English, American, and Caribbean origins. In Scottish, it means "son of Hendry (Henry)". In Old High German via Scottish, it means "son of the home ruler".
Is Henderson a boy or girl name?
Henderson is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Henderson?
Henderson is pronounced h-EHND-ers-uhn.
How popular is the name Henderson?
Henderson is currently ranked #2087 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Henderson?
Common nicknames for Henderson include Hendo, Henry, and Denny.
What are good middle names for Henderson?
Popular middle name pairings include Henderson James, Henderson Lee, Henderson Blake, Henderson Cole, Henderson Reid, and Henderson Grant.
What are good sibling names for Henderson?
Names that pair well with Henderson as siblings include Anderson, Harrison, Eleanor, Emerson, Morrison, and Sutton.
How many syllables does Henderson have?
Henderson has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Henderson a common or rare name?
Henderson is an uncommon name, ranked #2087 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Henderson?
About the Name Henderson
Henderson is a boy name with Scottish, English, American, and Caribbean origins . The name means "son of Hendry (Henry)" in Scottish .
Henderson is currently ranked #2,087 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Henderson has 3 syllables and is pronounced h-EHND-ers-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Henderson include Hendo, Henry, and Denny. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Henderson include Hendrix, Hendrick, Hendrixx, Hendrik, Hendricks . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis