Hughes
Hughes is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Heart, mind, spirit, or son of Hugh.
Origin and history
Hughes originates as a surname derived from the given name Hugh, which has Germanic and Celtic roots meaning heart, mind, or spirit. Historically used primarily as a family name, it has seen limited use as a masculine given name in the United States. Today, it fits into the contemporary trend of using traditional surname-names for boys.
Popularity in the United States
919 babies in the United States have been named Hughes since 1880. It ranks #3759 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1808.
States where it is most popular
- NC (47.1 %)
- GA (19.6 %)
- KY (13.7 %)
- AR (9.8 %)
- VA (9.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 6 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 190 |
| 1920-1930 | 135 |
| 1930-1940 | 90 |
| 1940-1950 | 76 |
| 1950-1960 | 73 |
| 1960-1970 | 21 |
| 1970-1980 | 6 |
| 1980-1990 | 26 |
| 1990-2000 | 29 |
| 2000-2010 | 43 |
| 2010-2019 | 105 |
| 2020-2029 | 119 |
Nicknames
Hugh, Hughie
Fun facts
- Hughes reflects the long-standing English tradition of adopting maternal or ancestral family surnames as given names.
- The core root 'Hugh' traces back to Old French and Germanic words for intellect and soul.