Hector Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Hector is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Hector?
Hector is spelled H-E-C-T-O-R. The name has 6 letters.
Hector at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Hector may derive from the Greek verb “ekhein”, meaning “to have” or “to hold.”
- Origin
- Hector is commonly associated with ancient Greek culture and literature, particularly referenced in Homer's Iliad as a Trojan prince.
- Pronunciation
- HEK-tor · 2 syllables
Hector Popularity in 2025
Rank#409
Recorded Births779
- Boys usage fell 30 places to #409 and recorded 85 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Hector Mean?
Hector may derive from the Greek verb “ekhein”, meaning “to have” or “to hold.”
Origin: Hector is commonly associated with ancient Greek culture and literature, particularly referenced in Homer's Iliad as a Trojan prince.
How Do You Pronounce Hector?
PronunciationHEK-tor
Syllables2
Hector Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2004 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 779 | #409 |
| 2024 | Boys | 864 | #379 |
| 2023 | Boys | 831 | #384 |
| 2022 | Boys | 927 | #355 |
| 2021 | Boys | 901 | #361 |
| 2020 | Boys | 856 | #365 |
| 2019 | Boys | 985 | #341 |
| 2018 | Boys | 1,012 | #331 |
| 2017 | Boys | 1,074 | #318 |
| 2016 | Boys | 1,100 | #319 |
| 2015 | Boys | 1,194 | #303 |
| 2014 | Boys | 1,214 | #292 |
| 2013 | Boys | 1,257 | #277 |
| 2012 | Boys | 1,325 | #267 |
| 2011 | Boys | 1,414 | #248 |
| 2010 | Boys | 1,562 | #226 |
| 2009 | Boys | 1,845 | #204 |
| 2008 | Girls | 7 | #13,832 |
| 2008 | Boys | 2,179 | #182 |
| 2007 | Boys | 2,243 | #183 |
| 2006 | Boys | 2,327 | #175 |
| 2005 | Boys | 2,458 | #167 |
| 2004 | Girls | 5 | #16,099 |
| 2004 | Boys | 2,004 | #192 |
When Was Hector Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2005 · Boys
2,458 recorded births
National rank #167
2006 · Boys
2,327 recorded births
National rank #175
2007 · Boys
2,243 recorded births
National rank #183
2008 · Boys
2,179 recorded births
National rank #182
Where Hector Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| TX | #190 | 200 |
| AZ | #209 | 40 |
| CA | #237 | 157 |
| KS | #297 | 12 |
| NV | #323 | 9 |
| NM | #360 | 5 |
| CT | #382 | 7 |
| CO | #398 | 15 |