Heine is the diminutive form of the German name Heinrich, originally Haimirich, meaning 'ruler of the Home', from 'haim' (home) and 'rich' (powerful).
In modern day Germany, Heine is rarely used as diminuitive form of the name Heinrich. One uses Hein sometimes in northern Germany, and several other forms elsewhere. Today, Heinrich is quite a rare name in Germany anyway.
Other forms:
- French: Henri
- Scandinavian: Henrik
- Latin: Henricus
- English: Henry
- Spanish: Enrique
- Italian: Enrico
Even the word America is a form of this name, from Haimirich > Emmerich > Americus > Amerigo, see Amerigo Vespucci.
For important persons bearing the surname Heine See: Alice Heine, Bill Heine, Christian Gottlob Heine, Eduard Heine, Harry Heine, Heinrich Heine, Jakob Heine, William Heine (lithographer, Union general), Heine-Medin disease, Cincinnatus Heine Miller; also check List of people by name: Hea-Hem