110+ Unique English Baby Boy Names Starting With H

The letter “H” carries a breathy, heartfelt quality that lends itself to names full of character, history, and uncommon charm. In English traditions, “H” names often derive from ancient roots—Anglo-Saxon, Norman, Celtic, and biblical—offering a treasure trove of distinctive choices that feel both grounded and rare. For parents seeking a name that is noble yet off the beaten path, the selection of unique English “H” names provides a perfect blend of strength and individuality.

This curated list showcases over 110 unique English baby boy names starting with H. Each name has been chosen for its distinctive sound, rich etymology, and relative rarity, ensuring your son carries a name with deep roots and a memorable presence.

The Ultimate List of Unique “H” Names for English Boys

1. Hackett – “Little woodsman” – An uncommon occupational surname.

2. Hadley – “Heather meadow” – A gentle, unisex surname-name.

3. Hadrian – “From Hadria” – The English form of the Roman emperor’s name, Adrian.

4. Hal – “Army ruler” – The classic, friendly short form of Henry or Harold.

5. Hale – “Hero” – A strong, single-syllable name.

6. Haley – “Hay clearing” – A unisex surname with a friendly sound.

7. Halston – “Hall settlement” – A sleek, rare surname-name.

8. Hamish – “Supplanter” – The charming Scottish form of James.

9. Hamlin – “Little home-lover” – A melodic and rare name.

10. Hampton – “Home settlement” – A distinguished place-name.

11. Hannibal – “Grace of Ba’al” – A bold, historical name of Carthaginian fame.

12. Hans – “God is gracious” – The German and Scandinavian form of John.

13. Harbin – “Little bright warrior” – A rare name of Germanic origin.

14. Harcourt – “Hawk’s court” – An aristocratic Norman surname.

15. Harden – “Valley of the hares” – A strong, uncommon surname.

16. Hardy – “Bold, brave” – A virtue surname.

17. Harlan – “Rocky land” – A sturdy surname-name.

18. Harley – “Hare’s meadow” – A unisex name with a cool, vintage feel.

19. Harman – “Army man” – A variant of Herman.

20. Harmon – “Soldier, army man” – A melodic variant.

21. Harold – “Army ruler” – A vintage royal name.

22. Harper – “Harp player” – A popular unisex occupational name, still unique for boys.

23. Harris – “Son of Harry” – A stylish patronymic surname.

24. Harrison – “Son of Harry” – A strong and popular surname-name.

25. Harvey – “Battle worthy” – A friendly vintage name.

26. Hastings – “Son of the austere man” – A historic battle and place-name.

27. Havelock – “Sea battle” – A rare, literary name of Norse origin.

28. Hawthorn – “Hawthorn tree” – A poetic, nature-bound surname.

29. Hayden – “Heathen” – A popular name with a unique original meaning.

30. Hayes – “Hedged area” – A crisp, presidential surname-name.

31. Heath – “Heathland dweller” – A simple, nature-inspired name.

32. Heathcliff – “Cliff near a heath” – A brooding literary name from Wuthering Heights.

33. Hector – “Steadfast, holding fast” – A noble Trojan hero from Greek myth.

34. Hedley – “Heather meadow” – A gentle English surname.

35. Helmsley – “Helm’s clearing” – A rare and distinguished place-name.

36. Hemingway – Literary surname of great distinction.

37. Hendrix – “Son of Hendrick” – A cool, musical surname-name.

38. Henry – “Estate ruler” – A classic royal name that remains timeless.

39. Herbert – “Bright army” – A distinguished vintage name.

40. Hervey – An archaic variant of Harvey.

41. Hewitt – “Little Hugh” – A rare patronymic surname.

42. Hilary – “Cheerful” – Historically masculine, a saint’s name.

43. Hill – “Dweller on a hill” – A simple, strong topographic name.

44. Hillard – “Battle guard” – A rare and sturdy surname.

45. Hilton – “Hill settlement” – A place-name and surname.

46. Hiram – “Exalted brother” – A biblical name with a soft, rare sound.

47. Hobson – “Son of Robert” – An uncommon patronymic surname.

48. Holden – “Deep valley” – Literary and cool (The Catcher in the Rye).

49. Hollis – “Holly trees” – A unisex nature surname.

50. Holmes – “From the islands in the river” – Literary fame from Sherlock Holmes.

51. Holt – “Small woods, grove” – A short, strong nature name.

52. Homer – “Security, pledge” – An ancient name, famous from the Greek poet.

53. Horace – “Timekeeper” – A classical Roman poet’s name.

54. Horatio – “Timekeeper” – The more elaborate form, noble and literary.

55. Horton – “Muddy farmstead” – A rare English place-name.

56. Howard – “Heart brave” – A noble English surname.

57. Howell – “Eminent, remarkable” – A Welsh surname with a gentle sound.

58. Hoyt – “Mind, spirit” – A short, sharp surname of Dutch origin.

59. Hubert – “Bright heart” – A saintly and rare vintage name.

60. Hudson – “Son of Hud” – A popular but still distinctive river and surname-name.

61. Hugh – “Mind, intellect” – A classic, single-syllable name of noble simplicity.

62. Hugo – The Latin form of Hugh, sophisticated and European.

63. Humbert – “Bright warrior” – A very rare vintage name.

64. Humphrey – “Peaceful warrior” – A distinguished, old-fashioned name.

65. Hunter – “One who hunts” – A popular occupational name with a rugged core.

66. Huxley – “Hugh’s meadow” – A literary surname (Aldous Huxley).

67. Hyatt – “High gate” – A sleek, modern-sounding surname.

68. Hyde – “Hide of land” – Literary from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

69. Hyman – “Life” – A Hebrew name, the original form of Chaim.

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70. Hackman – An occupational surname.

71. Hadden – “Heathery hill” – A rare Scottish surname.

72. Hagan – “Youth” – An Irish surname.

73. Haggai – “Festive” – A rare biblical prophet’s name.

74. Haig – “The enclosed field” – A distinguished Scottish surname.

75. Hakeem – “Wise, learned” – An Arabic name used in English contexts.

76. Halbert – “Bright hero” – A rare variant of Albert.

77. Haldane – “Half-Dane” – A Scottish clan surname.

78. Hale – Repeated for its strong, heroic meaning.

79. Hall – “Manor, residence” – A simple, strong surname.

80. Hallam – “At the rocks” – A rare place-name.

81. Hallet – “Little hall” – An uncommon surname.

82. Halsey – “Hall island” – A melodic surname.

83. Hamelin – A variant of Hamlin, famous from the Pied Piper tale.

84. Hamnet – A rare name, Shakespeare’s son’s name.

85. Hanley – “High meadow” – An English place-name.

86. Hansel – “God is gracious” – The German diminutive, known from folklore.

87. Harcourt – Repeated for its aristocratic Norman sound.

88. Harden – Repeated for its strong, topographic feel.

89. Harlin – A variant of Harlan.

90. Harlowe – “Army hill” – A stylish surname variant.

91. Harnett – “Little eagle” – A rare Irish surname.

92. Harold – Repeated for its vintage royal stature.

93. Harriman – “Servant of Harry” – An uncommon surname.

94. Hart – “Stag, deer” – A strong, single-syllable nature name.

95. Hartley – “Stag meadow” – A gentle nature surname.

96. Hartwell – “Stag spring” – A rare and poetic place-name.

97. Harvard – “Army guard” – A prestigious university name.

98. Harvie – A Scottish variant of Harvey.

99. Hassan – “Handsome, good” – An Arabic name used cross-culturally.

100. Havel – A variant of Havelock.

101. Hawkes – “Son of Hawk” – A patronymic surname.

102. Hawley – “Hedged meadow” – An English place-name.

103. Hawk – A bold, single-syllable bird name.

104. Hayward – “Guardian of the hedged enclosure” – An ancient occupational surname.

105. Hazel – “The hazelnut tree” – A unisex nature name, rare for boys.

106. Hazlett – “Little Hazel” – A diminutive surname.

107. Healey – “High clearing” – An English surname.

108. Heath – Repeated for its simple, evocative natural imagery.

109. Heathrow – Famous airport name, originally a place-name.

110. Heber – “Companion” – A rare biblical name.

111. Hector – Repeated for its noble, heroic resonance.

112. Hedworth – A rare English place and surname.

113. Helton – “Settlement on a hill” – A surname.

114. Hendrick – The Dutch/German form of Henry.

115. Hendry – A Scottish variant of Henry.

116. Henley – “High wood” – A place-name with a stylish, rhythmic sound.

117. Henson – “Son of Hen” – A patronymic surname.

118. Hepburn – “High burial mound” – A distinguished Scottish surname.

119. Herbert – Repeated for its distinguished, vintage feel.

120. Hereward – “Army guard” – An ancient Anglo-Saxon name, famous from Hereward the Wake.

121. Herman – “Army man” – A sturdy, vintage name.

122. Herschel – “Deer” – A Yiddish name, borne by astronomer William Herschel.

123. Hertford – “Ford used by harts” – An English county name.

124. Hesketh – “Horse racecourse” – A rare English surname.

125. Hew – A medieval short form of Hugh.

126. Heywood – “Enclosed wood” – A literary surname (Heywood Hale Broun).

127. Hickey – An Irish surname.

128. Higgins – “Son of Hugh” – A patronymic surname.

129. Hildebrand – “Battle sword” – A very old Germanic name.

130. Hillier – A variant of Hill.

131. Hilton – Repeated for its simple, place-based charm.

132. Hippolyte – “Releaser of horses” – An ancient Greek mythological name.

133. Hirsh – “Deer” – The Yiddish form of Hirsch.

134. Hobart – “Bright heart” – A variant of Hubert.

135. Hobbes – Philosophical surname (Thomas Hobbes).

Why Choose a Unique “H” Name for Your Son?

A unique “H” name offers a sonorous and often heroic quality, from the breathy, soft beginnings of Hugh and Heath to the stronger, aspirated sounds of Hector and Holden. These names are deeply embedded in English history, literature, and landscape, yet many remain refreshingly uncommon. They provide a distinct identity while connecting to a rich linguistic and cultural heritage.

Final Thoughts

When selecting a unique name, consider its rhythm, its historical weight, and the image it conjures. A name like Holden suggests thoughtful rebellion, Harlan implies solid, earthy strength, and Horatio carries noble, literary gravitas. Whether drawn to the ancient sound of Hereward, the gentle nature of Heath, or the noble simplicity of Hugh, a unique “H” name is a distinctive and meaningful choice for your son.