A familiar name with steady appeal across generations.
A male given name from the Germanic languages.
Hugh is a boy's and girl's baby name of Germanic origin, from the Old High German Hugo, meaning 'mind,' 'spirit,' or 'bright in mind.' It arrived in England with the Normans and became one of the most common names of the medieval period.
Hugh has been borne by saints, kings, and Hugh Jackman alike. It projects understated intelligence and old-money reserve — the kind of name that never shouts but never goes unnoticed either.
Hugh climbed 160 spots in the last 20 years — from #923 to #763.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,634 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 2,479 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 1,887 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 1,791 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 2,075 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 3,178 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 6,784 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 9,697 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 10,998 | — |
| 1930s | 11,699 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 14,107 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 10,201 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 2,176 | — |
| 1890s | 2,405 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 2,355 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 332 | #763 |
| 2023 | 323 | #784 |
| 2022 | 312 | #804 |
| 2021 | 343 | #741 |
| 2020 | 324 | #748 |
| 2019 | 287 | #799 |
| 2018 | 281 | #805 |
| 2017 | 264 | #838 |
| 2016 | 264 | #850 |
| 2015 | 265 | #848 |
| 2014 | 255 | #865 |
| 2013 | 227 | #915 |
| 2012 | 220 | #930 |
| 2011 | 210 | #945 |
| 2010 | 206 | #961 |
| 2009 | 199 | #995 |
| 2008 | 195 | #1002 |
| 2007 | 200 | #982 |
| 2006 | 184 | #1001 |
| 2005 | 182 | #961 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Hugh has also been given to 354 girls in the U.S. since 1911.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology