Harry is a common first name in the English-speaking world. It is a diminutive form of Henry, derived from Middle High German Haimirich, meaning 'ruler of the Home'. In Norway, the word harry is used synonymous with vulgar, unsophisticated person. The reason is that English names like 'Harry' was modern in the urban Norwegian working classes in the beginning of the 20th century, while the upper and middle class preferred Scandinavian, German or occasionally French names. Upper class people started describing people of the lower classes as 'harry'. Recently Norwegian Cabinet Minister Lars Sponheim stated that it is 'harry' to travel to Sweden to buy cheap food.
Among the many famous people named Harry are:
