"reddish-brown dye plant"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Henna
Pronunciation: [ h-EHN-uh ]
Does Henna flow with your last name?
An earthy botanical name steeped in ancient artistry
Arabic
South Asian
Finnish
Earthy
Unique
Gentle
Spiritual
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Henna
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Henna
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"short form of Johanna or Henrietta"
Origin: Finnish/Scandinavian
Language: Finnish
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Henna
See all →What the Henna report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Henna the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Henna
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Henna head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Henna actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Henna
Henna derives from the Arabic word 'hinna' referring to the flowering plant Lawsonia inermis, whose leaves produce a reddish-brown dye used for thousands of years in body art and hair coloring. As a given name, it draws from both this Arabic botanical heritage and independently functions as a Scandinavian/Finnish name, a short form of Henrietta or Johanna in Nordic countries.
Henna gained traction as a given name in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, particularly among families seeking nature-inspired names with multicultural resonance. In Finland it is a traditional feminine name in its own right, while elsewhere it rides the wave of botanical and henna art trends.
In South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, henna (mehndi) applied to skin is an integral part of wedding ceremonies and festivals like Eid and Diwali, symbolizing joy, beauty, and good luck. Naming a child Henna carries these associations of celebration and artistic tradition.
Historical Record
Henna first appeared in US Social Security records in 1974.
Over 1,288 babies have been named Henna in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Henna is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #5,127 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The henna plant has been used in body art for over 5,000 years
- Henna is a top-10 girls' name in Finland
- Henna tattoos (mehndi) are a central part of South Asian bridal traditions
Henna in Other Languages
Hindi
हेना
Arabic
حنة
Finnish
Henna
Japanese
ヘナ
Popularity Over Time
#5,127
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Henna
H
Henna Kalilio
Athlete
1985
Finnish cross-country skier who competed at the Winter Olympics
H
Henna Virkkunen
Politician
1974
Finnish politician and Member of the European Parliament
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Yarah
Girl
"small butterfly, honeybee"
#5,190
Aleysha
Girl
"living, alive, thriving"
#5,278
Amarii
Girl
"life, prosperity"
#5,191
Anala
Girl
"the fire Vasu"
#5,167
Aamira
Girl
"princess, ruler, commander"
#5,289
Compare Henna with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,127
- Total SSA Count
- 26
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic South Asian Finnish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Hen
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, earthy style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, earthy style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, vintage style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Arabic heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Henna
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Henna fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Henna →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Henna with...
Same Origin Names (Arabic)
See all Arabic names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Henna
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Henna and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Henna sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Yarah
Girl
Arabic origin
"small butterfly, honeybee"
#5,190 in US
Aleysha
Girl
Arabic origin
"living, alive, thriving"
#5,278 in US
Amarii
Girl
Arabic origin
"life, prosperity"
#5,191 in US
Anala
Girl
Sanskrit origin
"the fire Vasu"
#5,167 in US
Aamira
Girl
Arabic origin
"princess, ruler, commander"
#5,289 in US
Zuleyka
Girl
Arabic/Persian origin
"brilliant beauty, fair one"
#5,129 in US
Emina
Girl
Arabic (amn) origin
"safe, secure"
#5,293 in US
Jennah
Girl
Arabic origin
"paradise, garden of heaven"
#4,967 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Henna's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Henna
What does the name Henna mean?
"reddish-brown dye plant" (from Arabic). "short form of Johanna or Henrietta" (from Finnish/Scandinavian). Henna derives from the Arabic word 'hinna' referring to the flowering plant Lawsonia inermis, whose leaves produce a reddish-brown dye used for thousands of years in body art and hair coloring. As a given name, it draws from both this Arabic botanical heritage and independently functions as a Scandinavian/Finnish name, a short form of Henrietta or Johanna in Nordic countries.
What is the origin of the name Henna?
Henna has Arabic, Finnish/Scandinavian, South Asian, and Finnish origins. In Arabic, it means "reddish-brown dye plant". In Finnish/Scandinavian, it means "short form of Johanna or Henrietta".
Is Henna a boy or girl name?
Henna is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Henna?
Henna is pronounced h-EHN-uh.
How popular is the name Henna?
Henna is currently ranked #5127 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Henna?
Common nicknames for Henna include Hen.
What are good middle names for Henna?
Popular middle name pairings include Henna Rose, Henna Marie, Henna Grace, Henna Claire, Henna Jane, and Henna Mae.
What are good sibling names for Henna?
Names that pair well with Henna as siblings include Senna, Lila, Mira, Kai, Finn, Remy, and Indigo.
How many syllables does Henna have?
Henna has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Henna a common or rare name?
Henna is an uncommon name, ranked #5127 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Henna?
About the Name Henna
Henna is a girl name with Arabic, South Asian, and Finnish origins . The name means "reddish-brown dye plant" in Arabic .
Henna is currently ranked #5,127 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Henna has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-EHN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Henna include Hen. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Henna include Henny, Hennessy . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Arabic Names
Browse all names with this origin
H
Names Starting with H
More girl names like Henna
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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