Hugh Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Hugh is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Hugh?
Hugh is spelled H-U-G-H. The name has 4 letters.
Hugh at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Hugh derives from the Old German element “hug”, which relates to mental or spiritual qualities such as heart, mind, or spirit.
- Origin
- Hugh is commonly associated with the Old Germanic name element “hug”, which conveys mental or spiritual attributes.
- Pronunciation
- hyoo · 1 syllable
Hugh Popularity in 2025
Rank#732
Recorded Births360
- Boys usage rose 30 places to #732 and recorded 27 more 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 Hugh Mean?
Hugh derives from the Old German element “hug”, which relates to mental or spiritual qualities such as heart, mind, or spirit.
Origin: Hugh is commonly associated with the Old Germanic name element “hug”, which conveys mental or spiritual attributes.
How Do You Pronounce Hugh?
Pronunciationhyoo
Syllables1
What Is the History of the Name Hugh?
- History
- The name Hugh has been used in various historical European contexts, notably in English and French usage.
Hugh Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 360 | #732 |
| 2024 | Boys | 333 | #762 |
| 2023 | Boys | 323 | #782 |
| 2022 | Boys | 312 | #804 |
| 2021 | Boys | 343 | #742 |
| 2020 | Boys | 324 | #748 |
| 2019 | Boys | 287 | #799 |
| 2018 | Boys | 281 | #805 |
| 2017 | Boys | 264 | #837 |
| 2016 | Boys | 264 | #849 |
| 2015 | Boys | 265 | #847 |
| 2014 | Boys | 255 | #864 |
| 2013 | Boys | 227 | #914 |
| 2012 | Boys | 220 | #930 |
| 2011 | Boys | 210 | #943 |
| 2010 | Boys | 206 | #961 |
| 2009 | Boys | 199 | #991 |
| 2008 | Boys | 195 | #1,002 |
| 2007 | Boys | 200 | #981 |
| 2006 | Boys | 184 | #1,000 |
| 2005 | Boys | 182 | #959 |
| 2004 | Boys | 184 | #923 |
| 2003 | Boys | 194 | #879 |
| 2002 | Boys | 191 | #866 |
When Was Hugh 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.
1916 · Boys
1,619 recorded births
National rank #96
1924 · Boys
1,541 recorded births
National rank #116
1920 · Boys
1,489 recorded births
National rank #115
1918 · Boys
1,489 recorded births
National rank #112
Where Hugh 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 |
|---|---|---|
| MA | #347 | 15 |
| AL | #422 | 12 |
| IA | #493 | 6 |
| MS | #522 | 5 |
| KS | #524 | 6 |
| OR | #529 | 6 |
| IL | #544 | 17 |
| TN | #551 | 13 |