The name John Henry has several different meanings.

• John Henry (folklore), the "steel-driving man", is an African-American folk hero.

Real people:

• John Henry (senator) is an 18th century U.S. Senator from and Governor of Maryland.
• John Henry (representative) is a 19th century U.S. Representative from Illinois.
• John Flournoy Henry is a 19th century U.S. Representative from Kentucky.
• John W. Henry is a speculator, money manager and principal owner of the Boston Red Sox.
• John Henry (toxicologist) is a prominent toxicologist, a professor at Imperial College London and a consultant to Britain's National Poisons Information Service.
• John Henry (vocalist) is the vocalist in a band called Darkest Hour.
• John Henry (spy) (1776–1853) a British spy who sold his papers to James Madison.
• John Henry (Bailiff of Guernsey), Bailiff of Guernsey (1446–1447)
• John Henry (historian) is a historian of science associated with the Strong Programme, and the author of numerous books including Knowledge is Power: How Magic, the Government and an Apocalyptic Vision Inspired Francis Bacon to creat Modern Science (2002)

Works of Fiction:

• John Henry (novel) is a 1931 novel by Roark Bradford, based on the African-American folk hero of the same name (see above).
• John Henry (play) is a Broadway play based on the above novel, and later a musical featuring Paul Robeson in the title role and Ruby Elzy as Julie Anne.
• John Henry (album) is a 1994 rock album by They Might Be Giants.
• John Henry (song) is a 1995 pop song by Marques Bovre and the Evil Twins, from their album Flyover Land.
• John Henry Irons, better known as the superhero Steel.

Other Notable Uses:

• John Henry (horse) is a champion Thoroughbred racehorse.
• John Henry - a great show mule

One's signature, as in "put your John Henry right here." Cf. "John Hancock."