The baby name Huxley fits in perfectly with current trends, but it offers up more history than you might expect, too.
Thanks to K for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
THE HUXLEY FAMILY
Writer Aldous Huxley, of Brave New World fame, might be the best-known member of the famous English family. His 1932 novel remains widely-read today, with recent adaptations including a television movie in 1998 and a Peacock series in 2020.
His grandfather, biologist Thomas Henry Huxley, promoted Darwin’s theory of evolution when it was still new and controversial. Craters on both the moon and Mars are named in his honor. He’s the first Huxley listed in most accounts of the family history.
Julian Huxley co-founded the World Wildlife Fund. Healthcare advocate Margaret Huxley brought professional nursing to Ireland. And Andrew Huxley earned a Nobel Prize in physiology/medicine.
So they’re quite notable in the United Kingdom.
WHAT DOES THE NAME HUXLEY MEAN?
The family’s surname mixes two elements.
The -ley is that familiar woodland or clearing, from the Old English leah, shared with Ashley and dozens of other last names turned first names.
As for the first element:
- It could come from Hucc, an Old English given name. It might mean “to taunt” though it could also mean “Hucc’s clearing.”
- Some sites suggest it means “Hugh’s meadow.” That seems plausible, particularly since Hugh was a popular name in the Middle Ages. Except it doesn’t quite explain the addition of the X. Hugh’s nickname would’ve been Hud, and Hudson means “son of Hugh.” Names like Hughes/Hewes, Hewitt, Houston, and even Hewison/Hewson are heard, but the surname Huxley feels a little different.
Maybe there’s a story there, but it’s lost to time. The meaning of Huxley remains unclear, but the family association makes it feel smart and strong.
It’s also a place name, from a village in Cheshire. Several other places throughout the English-speaking world are also called Huxley.
THE LETTER X … AND H
Parents probably appreciate the baby name Huxley for its stylish sound.
The letter X proves irresistible. Just ask Jaxon and Maxwell, Paxton and Felix.
H also draws parents in, particularly when it comes to surname names. Hudson and Hunter lead the pack, but Hayes, Holden, Harrison, and Hendrix have all proved popular, too.
We love surname names for our children, too.
The boy’s name Huxley combines the best of those trends.
HUXLEY AS A GIRL’S NAME
In 1985, Tom Robbins gave the name to a female character in Jitterbug Perfume. While the book remains widely-read, it didn’t make an impact at the time.
With the popularity of names like Ashley and Hadley for girls, it’s reasonable to ask if Huxley has caught on for our daugthers.
So far, this definitely remains a boy’s name. As of 2023, just 48 girls received the name.
THE POPULARITY OF THE NAME HUXLEY
Back in 2002, seven boys received the name Huxley, putting it in the US Social Security data for the very first time.
By 2010, that number surged to 42.
In 2014, it reached 126.
And in 2016, 257 boys were named Huxley, enough to enter the US Top 1000.
As of 2023, the baby name Huxley stood at #617. That’s down a bit from a peak of #539 in 2020, but still almost mainstream.
NICKNAMES FOR HUXLEY: HUCK and HUX
Built-in nicknames Huck and Hux could extend the appeal of this boy’s name.
- Huck puts this name in the company of Americana literary figure Huckleberry – Huck – Finn. A handful of parents have used Huckleberry in full. (Think Bear Grylls, as well as Brad Paisley’s William Huckleberry.) Huck might even be an unconventional nickname for Henry – it’s two steps removed from Hank – or Charles, just drop the C in Chuck. Huxley is more conventional than Huckleberry and works every bit as well.
- Star Wars fans might also think of Domnhall Gleason as General Hux in the most recent trilogy. With Kylo and Anakin dipping in to the US Top 1000, any name from that galaxy far, far away seems more plausible than ever.
SMART MEETS EDGY
The baby name Huxley has gone from obscurity to near-mainstream success over the last decade.
It’s no novel invention, but it shares all the sounds that parents love today in names like Axel and Wesley, while claiming roots, just like so many successful surname names.
If your goal is to choose something stylish but not too popular? This might be an excellent choice for you mixing a certain intellectual vibe thanks to the author and his famous family with an edgy charm based on the sound.
Would you consider the baby name Huxley?
First posted on July 28, 2010, this post has been revised and republished on October 11, 2017, April 28, 2021, and October 11, 2024.
Sorry, Abby, I hate to say anything that would make you feel bad about your choice – and until now didn’t have to, as your kids have beautiful names and nicknames – but I don’t like this one at all. As you said, it could fit with current trends, but that would just make it…trendy. I don’t like the sound, and would probably roll my eyes at the pretentious mommy who did choose this one. Your other two have such pretty names; Huxley doesn’t fit, imo.
Forgive me!
You don’t need to ask for forgiveness! And you’re right – Huxley would be the odd one out.
I love him still. 🙂
If you have ever watched “Elmo in Grouchland,” then you will know Huxley was the name of the villian. While watching it, I wondered to myself why the name wasn’t more popular, lol. I can see the appeal and how it fits into current naming trends. It’s not one that I would use personally, but I can see it being a nice way for the right family. It’s cute, and has good nickname potential.
“a nice name for the right family”
Oh typos!
It’s a natural villain choice – it’s so choice to huckster. I did see Elmo in G-land, with Mandy Patinkin, right? Gosh, I’d blocked that one out …
Yes, that’s the one! I can understand why you would block the movie out—good message, but hard to watch! It was my first introduction to the name…
I really love Huxley. Huxley made the long list (along with so many names, including the above mentioned Hugo and Aldous) during my pregnancy with Oliver. I once pitched Hugo Huxley as a combo (Lost, Brave New World and a quiet nod to one of my all time favorite novels, Lolita); needless to say, it did not win out. Not that it will ever be an issue, but those names would definitely crop up (for the obligatory veto by husband, again, just like so many other names) on any boy names list of mine. Hux and Huck make for great nns… For me, it would be hard to go wrong with Huxley.
I love Hugo Huxley!
I don’t think we would ever use it, especially since we’re going with Stanley for our baby boy, but I really do love the sound of Huxley! It’s super spunky and cute.
I know you mentioned those 28 little Hurleys may be surfers-in-training, but I have to wonder if at least some of them weren’t also influenced by the lovable “Lost” character.
Hurley made me think of Lost too. 🙂 I’m not familar with the surfer reference. I suggested Hugo to my husband but he’s like “No, that’s a fat guy.”
D’oh. Of course Hurley is about Lost! Well, and I think the surfer gear, too. But mostly Lost.
I’m now a fan of Huck/Huxley. And OMG, “copse” just tossed into a sentence? SO impressed! I’ve always loved your writing, and your vocabulary continues to impress.
Why thank you!
just sounds druggy to me, as in Hopper and Leary
I had certainly never considered Huxley before seeing you, Abby, comment on him some months ago. It’s an interesting choice that certainly does fit in with the current trends without being too popular (yet). However, although I’ve read A Brave New World and thought it quite brilliant, the Huxley that immediately comes to mind when I hear this name is he of Darwinian fame — also, incidentally, the inventor of the term “agnosticism”.
When I typed in “wiki huxley” into my browser I was redirected to a webpage dedicated to Huxley: The Dystopia, which makes me wonder whether some of the little Huxleys born last year had parents (or at least a father) inspired by the game.
Ah, Charlotte, I think you’re in the minority to even have a glimmer of clue about TH Huxley – here’s betting you’re right that the video game inspired at least some of those 28 kiddos. More than thought of the patriarch, at least …
Hmm, yes, I minored in Religion and Theology and majored in English with an emphasis in Victorian Literature, so T.H. Huxley gets mentioned occasionally.
‘zactly! I know someone who named her daughter Ariel, thinking Shakespeare and the Bible. And she gets Disney.
While I loved _Brave New World_, I think I prefer Aldous as a way to honor that masterpiece.
However, the nickname Huck completely sells me on the name. I’ve encountered a lot of parents interested in Huck but not wanting to go all the way to Huckleberry. Huck does feel a bit abrupt to use in full, and Huxley there is a stroke of genius.
I agree that he straddles various trends nicely. A great compromise choice if mom wants Jaxon as you said, and dad wants Frederick.
OMG – there he is! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqPuTL77KfE
Still, if Olivia can have a spokespig and still be a super popular name, why not Huxley? I just saw Olivia tees in Target – they’re quite cute.
Bears aren’t as problematic as pigs, I think. I’ve met a little Theodore who goes by Teddy.
totally not for me for one huge reason, in britain in (i think) the eighties and nineties there was a childrens tv show called huxley pig. the theme tune was literally just ‘whats it all about huxley pig’. it’s not really the nicest acosiation though there was nothing bad about the programme (interestlingly my current favourite boys name, rupert, is also linked to a british children’s character, though i don’t have as much of a problem with rupert the bear as i do with huxley pig!)
As a Huxley, I can say I was never once embarrased as a child of the 80s to be associated with Huxley Pig. I still sing the themesong every now and then. Even better for me, my best mate in primary school (elementary) was called Sam, same as Huxley Pig’s Seagull friend. Still called piglet by my older sister as a result of this programme.