Hugh
Hugh is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Heart, mind, or spirit.
Origin and history
Hugh is a classic masculine name derived from Germanic elements meaning heart, mind, or spirit. It was brought to England by the Normans and became immensely popular in the Middle Ages. In the United States, it remains a traditional, well-established standard with steady, moderate usage.
Popularity in the United States
83,825 babies in the United States have been named Hugh since 1880. It ranks #351 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #730.
States where it is most popular
- NY (7.9 %)
- GA (7.3 %)
- PA (6 %)
- TX (5.6 %)
- NC (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,355 |
| 1890-1900 | 2,405 |
| 1900-1910 | 2,176 |
| 1910-1920 | 10,201 |
| 1920-1930 | 14,106 |
| 1930-1940 | 11,700 |
| 1940-1950 | 10,998 |
| 1950-1960 | 9,697 |
| 1960-1970 | 6,783 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,177 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,075 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,791 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,887 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,479 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,995 |
Famous people named Hugh
- Hugh Jackman: Actor, Singer
- Hugh Grant: Actor
- Hugh Laurie: Actor, Comedian
Nicknames
Hughie, Huggins
Fun facts
- The name was introduced to Great Britain by the Normans and quickly became popular due to Saint Hugh of Lincoln.
- Hugh shares its Germanic root with names like Hugo and Hubert.