Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Hugh
BoyGermanic, French· “heart, mind, spirit”
- Meaning
- heart, mind, spirit
- Origin
- Germanic, French
- Pronunciation
- HYOO
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #732
- US babies 2025
- 360
- Best rank
- #69 (1887)
- Peak year
- 1916
Meaning and origin of Hugh
Hugh is a Germanic and French name that means “heart, mind, spirit”.
Hugh comes from the Germanic element hug, meaning heart, mind or spirit. The Normans brought it to England, where it became common in the Middle Ages. Hugh Capet founded the Capetian dynasty of French kings, and Saint Hugh of Lincoln was a much-loved medieval bishop. In modern times, actors such as Hugh Grant and Hugh Jackman have kept the name familiar. Hugh has a gentle, classic, slightly British feel and a single soft syllable. Hughie is a warm nickname, and it pairs well with longer middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Hue.
Popularity over time
Hugh has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 144 different years. Its best national rank was #69 in 1887, and the most babies received it in 1916, when 1,619 were named Hugh. In 2025, 360 babies were named Hugh, and it ranked #732 nationally. That is 36% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #115 in 1920, #206 in 1950, #574 in 1980, #909 in 2000, #961 in 2010, and #732 in 2025. Of the 83,825 US boys named Hugh since records began, 17% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 11,700 babies. Since 2010, 4,474 more have been named Hugh.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Emil, Adolph, Jess, and Willard.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Hugh ranked highest in Massachusetts, Alabama, and Iowa.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #350 | 15 |
| Alabama | #433 | 12 |
| Iowa | #528 | 6 |
| Kansas | #550 | 6 |
| Illinois | #553 | 17 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Hugh is usually pronounced HYOO, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with H and ends in “-gh”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Hue.
Middle names for Hugh
A few middle names that flow with Hugh: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Hugh
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Lists that include Hugh
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hugh mean?
Hugh is a Germanic and French name that means “heart, mind, spirit”.
What is the origin of the name Hugh?
Hugh has Germanic, French, and English roots. Hugh comes from the Germanic element hug, meaning heart, mind or spirit.
Is Hugh a popular name?
Yes. Hugh ranked #732 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Hugh a boy or girl name?
Hugh is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Hugh?
Hugh is usually pronounced HYOO. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings