Hugh

“Mind, spirit” — Germanic, via Old French origin

Boy's name · #732 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Hugh holds its lane: charted since 1880 and rarely far from where it stands today (#732 in 2025). About 84,000 boys have carried it along the way. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records. Hugh's short forms are Hughie and Huey.

Around the world: about 1 in 590 boys in N. Ireland (2025) · about 1 in 880 boys in Ireland (2025) · about 1 in 1,200 boys in New Zealand (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 35 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Hughs

Hugh Jackman — Australian actor and singer
Hugh Grant — British actor
Hugh Laurie — English actor, comedian, director, musician and writer
Hugh Hefner — American businessman and magazine publisher (1926–2017)
Hugh Capet of France — King of the Franks

In stories & tradition

Hugh (Bulldog Drummond) — Bulldog Drummond · The Black Gang
Hugh Culber — Star Trek: Discovery · Vaulting Ambition
Hugh Fitzcairn — Highlander: The Series

What Hughs become

Among 2,978 notable people named Hugh:

Military figures appear 3.28× more often than among typical names — e.g. Hugh Dowding, 1st Baron Dowding, British officer in the Royal Air Force (1882-1970).

Similar names: Otis · Hugo · Ray · Lee · Ulysses · Louie

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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