What is the name of Victor Frankenstein's childhood friend in Mary Shelley's novel?

Victor Frankenstein’s childhood friend in Mary Shelley’s novel is Henry Clerval.

Clerval is the son of a Geneva merchant and grows up alongside Victor. Victor describes him as a close school friend whose interests differ sharply from his own: Clerval is drawn to heroic tales, moral ideals, and human relationships, while Victor becomes increasingly obsessed with natural philosophy and the secret of life.

Their friendship becomes especially important after Victor’s experiment destroys his health. Clerval travels to Ingolstadt, finds Victor dangerously ill, and nurses him back to health. Later, he accompanies Victor during parts of his travels and provides a compassionate contrast to Victor’s secrecy and ambition.

Readers sometimes confuse Clerval with Robert Walton, who frames Victor’s narrative through letters, or with William Frankenstein, Victor’s younger brother. Justine Moritz is part of the Frankenstein household and becomes tragically involved in the plot, but she is not Victor’s childhood friend. Clerval’s eventual murder by the Creature makes the friendship central to the novel’s tragic progression.