Name of the Day: Hugo
We know a Hugh. In fact, we know a pair of Hughs, father and son. And the name has much to recommend it. It’s been worn by dozens of counts and kings, including Hugh Capet, the first King of France. There’s a Saint Hugh; there’s a Borg called Hugh on Star Trek: The Next Generation. You’ll see actors Hugh Laurie, Hugh Jackman and Hugh Grant on screens large and small.
But if you want a truly current name, we suggest you drop the final “h” and attach an “o” to arrive at Today’s Name of the Day: Hugo.
In truth, Hugh and Hugo are the same name. Hugo is simply the Latinized version of Hugh, which is Germanic in origin and means “mind, heart, spirit.” It’s also worth noting that Hugh is the preferred Anglicized form of several Gaelic names, each with their own origins to consider.
Call out Hugo on an American playground and odds are no one will answer. It’s never been out of use in the US, but it’s always been fairly obscure. In 2007, it was the 398th most popular name for boys – that’s just over 700 new baby Hugos, about as many as were called Justice or Davis, Ernesto or Finn.
But try that same exercise in Europe, and oh boy golly, will a lot of small heads turn! In 2006, it was the 9th most popular name for baby boys in Spain – that works out to nearly 4,000 Hugos. The name ranked #8 in Belgium and #3 in Sweden.
A host of Hugos have been quietly distinguishing themselves in nearly every field for generations. From Finnish painter Hugo Simberg to current president of Venezuela Hugo Chávez, Hugos pop up all over the globe. Australian actor Hugo Weaving played Elrond, the Elven Lord in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Hugo Garay is an Argentine boxer. It’s a name that is impossible to pin to any specific place.
What makes us favor Hugo over Hugh is that fabulous “o” ending, currently seen on many stylish names like Leo, Theo and Diego. It’s fresh and vibrant, and manages to be masculine without being harsh. Hugh, while a storied name with long use, is perhaps a bit brief.
Of course, Hugo owes some of its fashionable edge to German design house Hugo Boss, home of immaculately tailored menswear. There is no Boss Baby line, but who knows? With all those starbabies sporting Burberry, it could happen.
There’s even a Hugo Award, given annually for achievement in science fiction writing. The awards are named in honor of early scifi author Hugo Gernsback. The association lends the name a certain creative, quirky edge.
Should you choose the name Hugo for your baby boy, you’ll be in the company of some famous fictional parents. In her epilogue to the final book in the Harry Potter series, JK Rowling reveals that Ron and Hermione tie the knot and go on to have children, including a son called Hugo Weasley.
It’s a name worth considering if you’re hoping for something simple but unusual, with a long history of use and true international flavor.
Filed under: Names for Boys, Names of the Day | 14 Comments
Tags: Hugh, Hugo
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Hugo! I love him! He’s been on & off my top 10 for at least 2 years now. Sometimes I think he’s dashing and sometimes I think he’s too “chubby”. The fact that he’s one letter off of ‘huge’, and my boys being chunky toddlers, rather scares me. But I love his happy, bouncy nature and his brevity with my 9 letter surname. All in all, I’ll back you up; Hugh is lovely but Hugo’s awesome!
Agreed, I much prefer Hugo to Hugh, it has a little more panache and seems a little more – I don’t know – finished. However, (and this is probably just because I’m British) the names Hugh and Hugo do conjure up the image of an upper class, rather wet, borish, snobbish toffish type – if I can just shake that then your on to a winner!…
Could I put in a request for the names Felicity and Romilly to be featured as names of the day – at some stage.
Thanks!
Lola, I never even *thought* about the huge/Hugo thing! I did think of Baby Huey, the big ol’ none-too-swift cartoon duck. As the mother of a jumbo-sized son myself, I totally know what you mean, LOL – it would be a burden to be a 6′2 high school freshman nicknamed Huge!
And Katharine, thank you so much for the British perspective. I was wondering why neither name appeared in the UK Top 100. With Leo and Owen popular, I thought for sure Hugo would make the list, too. But that’s the kind of thing you just can’t know unless you know, you know?
Romilly – fast becoming a personal favorite – was already requested by Jess, so look for it on June 22. Felicity is a great suggestion. She’ll be July 2.
I don’t worry about the Huge/Hugo thing myself, overmuch. As someone with a skinny 6′1 Leo and a twiglike 6′ Simon who were both chubby toddlers, I don’t think it would be a trial for them for long. (after all, I got Lola as a kid because my kid brother couldn’t say Laura. and I didn’t get teased for it, tall, skinny, gawky kid I was!)
He’s a winner in the States because we don’t have Katharine’s viewpoint on him. Now, if only we could look past the pancakes with my beloved Jemima!
It’s also worth noting that Hugo has been in the top 10 in France for a decade and pulled off 3rd place in 2003 after Lucas and Theo. My first thought has always gone to Victor HUGO upon hearing this name. I do adore it, but I almost think Hugh takes more guts these days. I actually met a little Hugo last week, and think he fits right in with all the Olivers, Milos, Henrys and Oscars.
Name o’ the day request: Penelope, please? I’m particularly concerned with her various meanings and stories.
Thanks so much!
~Elisabeth
I prefer Hugh to Hugo too. There’s something so refined about Hugh . . . probably the hidden anglophile in me coming out. Hugo seems almost cartoonishly melodramatic, but Hugh could be an insurance salesman. It’s got romance and stability.
*sigh*
Hugh: the perfect man.
LOL, DH! Hugh is also my brother-in-law, who celebrated a birthday ydy, which is why Hugo was the Name of the Day. He’ll be delighted to know he’s the perfect man. And it must said that he’s pretty fabulous. He suggested Omar.
Lola, I love your sons’ names! Alexei is chart-shatteringly tall, and I’m sure he’s going to shoot right past me by the time he’s 12. It must be quite surprising to look UP at your sons! As for Jemima, she really doesn’t deserve to be disregarded just because of the syrup. In fact, I’m making her NotD for July 8.
And Elisabeth, thanks for the Victor Hugo mention and the stats from France. Plus you’re right that Hugh is barely holding on to the Top 1000 these days, while in many a zip code, Hugo could be as popular as Henry and Charlie. I suspect my sister and BiL will use one version or the other if they have a son.
Penelope … I did a post on the name back in March when the Christina Ricci-with-pig-snout movie came out. But the names’ origins are murky. Does it refer to a type of duck? Or does it have something to do with weaving? I’m not sure I have a decent source to go back any farther than The Odyssey, but let me do some digging, and if I can find anything, I’ll put her on the calendar. IMHO, regardless of the name’s origins, the strongest association with the name is the concept of faithfulness and devotion – and a certain quiet, clever strength.
Still, it would be nice to determine if the name was in use pre-Homer. I’ll do some digging, and if anything pops up, I’ll put her on the calendar.
Thanks Apellation mountain, I look forward to your persepctive on those names!
I love Hugo. It’s so handsome. I know two Hispanic Hugos, father and son. I really like Hugo, but I have to say, Alexei and Hugo seem a bit mismatched of a sibset. Even Alexander and Hugo seem a bit off to me. I’m still not convinced that James and Daphne go together either, though, so don’t take me too seriously over here!
I’ve never like Hugh much. I want to spell it Hue or say it Hue-gah or Hue-ff. Plus, Hugh Huff sounds more awkward than Hugo Huff, although neither one will ever fly with Kevin.
Oh, I love James and Daphne together! Hugh Huff does sound like a breathing exercise, and I suppose even Hugo Huff is a bit too cute.
There are no boys’ names that match Alexei. It was really a limiting choice. Thank goodness he’s getting a little sister instead.
Unfortunately, as I grew up in the deep South, Hugo only brings to mind the 1989 hurricane.