Hugh: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: h-oogh
Origin: France
gender-male

Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Apr 14, 2025 · 1 min read
Region Origin: Western Europe, Northern Europe
Meaning: Mind or spirit

Hugh is a timeless and versatile masculine name with deep historical roots. Derived from the Germanic element hug, meaning mind or spirit. It has historical significance and has been used in various cultures, particularly in French, and German contexts, but its popularity has fluctuated significantly over time and is not uniformly high across all cultures. Today, Hugh is celebrated for its positive connotations, symbolizing character and inner beauty. Hugh is of both Germanic and French origin, derived from the Germanic name Hugo and the Old French name Hugues. The name has been used by various royal and noble families throughout Europe, including Frankish nobility and English aristocracy. Hugh was among the top 100 boys' names until 1903 but did not consistently remain in the top 200 thereafter. Hugh's popularity has fluctuated over the years, experiencing a decline after the late 1980s but showing signs of revival in the early 2000s. Despite this, Hugh remains a significant name in popular culture, associated with wisdom, and intelligence.

Hugh Name Popularity Data

chat-overall Hugh is currently #1362 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Boy: Hugh is currently #615 on Kiindred Boy Names

Popularity Trend Chart

Wikipedia, NSW Births Deaths and Marriages, QLD Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, WA Registry of Births, SA Registry of Births, VIC Registry of Births, Social Security Administration

arrow-icon Hugh
arrow-icon