Hector
Hector is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Holding fast, steadfast, or anchor.
Origin and history
Hector is a name of Ancient Greek origin derived from 'Hektor', meaning 'holding fast' or 'steadfast'. In classical mythology, Hector was a legendary Trojan prince and warrior known for his bravery in Homer's Iliad. In the United States, it has been a consistently well-used masculine name for over a century.
Popularity in the United States
108,728 babies in the United States have been named Hector since 1880. It ranks #296 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #375.
States where it is most popular
- CA (29.4 %)
- TX (26.7 %)
- NY (11.1 %)
- IL (4.8 %)
- AZ (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 95 |
| 1890-1900 | 103 |
| 1900-1910 | 125 |
| 1910-1920 | 694 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,481 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,794 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,825 |
| 1950-1960 | 7,101 |
| 1960-1970 | 9,604 |
| 1970-1980 | 12,130 |
| 1980-1990 | 15,108 |
| 1990-2000 | 19,493 |
| 2000-2010 | 20,880 |
| 2010-2019 | 12,137 |
| 2020-2029 | 5,158 |
Famous people named Hector
- Hector Berlioz: Composer, Conductor
- Hector Elizondo: Actor
- Hector Camacho: Boxer
Nicknames
Heck, Hec
Fun facts
- Hector is famous as the noble prince and main champion of Troy in Homer's epic poem, the Iliad.
- In medieval Arthurian romance, Sir Hector (or Ector) was the foster father of King Arthur.