Boy · 116th of 7,545
Hugh
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
83,820
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1916
Peak Popularity Year
1,626
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Hugh stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Hugh originates from Old French, derived from Germanic roots meaning 'heart, mind, or spirit'. It has evolved through various forms including Hugi and Hughes. The name gained significant popularity in England post-Norman Conquest and is associated with nobility. It is viewed positively in modern times, linked to traits of strength and intelligence, with no biblical significance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/hjuː/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Hugh is derived from the Old French name 'Hughes', which itself comes from the Germanic element 'hug', meaning 'heart', 'mind', or 'spirit'.
Meaning
heart, mind, spirit
Language Evolution
Old High German: Hugi, Old French: Hughes, Middle English: Hugh
Historical Usage
Hugh gained popularity in England after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century and was commonly used among the nobility.
Variants & Derivatives
Hughie, Hugo, Hughann
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Hugh is seen as a classic name that conveys strength and reliability. It has a timeless quality and is often associated with intelligence.
Famous People
Hugh Jackman, Hugh Grant, Hugh Hefner, Hugh Laurie
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,626 peak births in 1916
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Georgia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 116th of 7545 | 23,591 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 147th of 6773 | 20,930 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 234th of 7552 | 18,173 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 409th of 10718 | 6,083 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 714th of 16616 | 3,056 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 927th of 24088 | 3,106 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 809th of 23106 | 3,477 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2675th of 9107 | 198 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3528th of 9204 | 122 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 9243rd of 12526 | 20 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 17256th of 19264 | 9 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 27321st of 27321 | 5 |