This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance: Name: Hugh – Meaning: heart, mind – Origin: Germanic (via Old French) – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: HYOO
Hugh is a Germanic name that came into English by way of Old French, carrying the meaning heart, mind. It's pronounced HYOO, and it has a timeless, classic, vintage feel. The Social Security Administration has been tracking it since 1880, giving it a long, documented history to look back on.
Meaning & Origin of Hugh
Meaning: Heart, mind.
Origin: Germanic (via Old French).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Hugh
Phonetic: HYOO IPA: /ˈhjuː/
Popularity of Hugh
Hugh peaked at #69 in 1887, when 250 boys were given the name; by 2024 it had settled at #763, with 332 boys named Hugh that year.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.
Make Hugh Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Hugh, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Hugh mean?
Heart, mind. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Hugh)
How do you pronounce Hugh?
Hugh is pronounced HYOO (IPA: /ˈhjuː/).
Is Hugh a popular name right now?
Hugh peaked at #69 in 1887 and is ranked #763 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
📊 How popular is Hugh? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!
🎨 Get Printable Name Art for Hugh
Beautiful nursery-ready 8×10" print with name & meaning
Preview & Download →More Baby Name Inspiration
📱 The Baby Names app is here
Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →
