Hamnet

Ultimately from the Germanic Haimo, Hamnet is a homely name, best associated with the son of William Shakespeare. Hamnet died in childhood and his name (and death) may have provided the inspiration behind the bard's famous tragedy, Hamlet.

The name was likely made more familiar when it appeared as the title of a by Maggie O'Farrell's 2020 novel, Hamnet, about Shakespeare, his wife Agnes, and their children. In 2025, the book was adapted into a movie, which may further familiarize people with the name.

Pronounced HAM-net.