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.
FAMOUS FAMILY
Writer Aldous Huxley, of Brave New World fame, might be the best-known member of the famous English family.
But he’s not the only one. His grandfather, biologist Thomas 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.
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.
The family’s surname mixes two elements.
The -ley is that familiar wood, shared with Ashley and dozens of other names.
But the first element seems to come from Hucc, an Old English given name. It might mean “to taunt.”
Maybe there’s a story there, but it’s lost to time.
A tiny village in Cheshire still bears the name, as do several other places throughout the English-speaking world.
H and X
While the baby name Huxley’s meaning remains obscure, we know why parents appreciate it.
The letter X proves irresistible. Just ask Jaxon and Maxwell, Paxton and Felix.
But H also draws parents in, particularly when it comes to surname names. Hudson and Hunter lead the pack, but Hayes, Holden, Harrison, and Hendrix all rank in the Top 500, too.
The baby name Huxley combines the best of both trends.
BY THE NUMBERS
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.
Instead, back in 2002, seven boys received the name, putting in 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 2019, the baby name Huxley stood at #588.
HUCK and HUX
One more reason this name feels so appealing? Built-in nicknames Huck and Hux.
Huck, of course, 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.
But Huxley will appeal to parents who want something more direct, but also less conventional.
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 seem more plausible than ever.
FAST-RISING FAVORITE
The baby name Huxley has gone from obscurity to near-mainstream success in just over a decade.
It’s no novel invention, but it shares all the sounds that parents love today in names like Jaxton, while claiming roots, just like so many successful surname names.
Chances are we’ll hear much more of this appealing name in the coming years.
Would you consider the baby name Huxley?
First posted on July 28, 2010, this post has been revised and republished on October 11, 2017 and again on April 28, 2021.
Huxley is a great name! Before, I envied a lot of kids for having such popular names.
But now i’m 23, i enjoy it because no one else in my place is called by “Hux” or “Huxley”. It feels great to have a unique name. Paired with my 2nd name “Cain”, i realized then that my parents really did a lot of research for this.. haha.
well 0n the 20th november 2012 their will be a little baby boy entering this world and his name will be..huxley steve carter, and i cant wait…
We used Huxley as my son’s middle name. My husband loves brave new world. I thought it was a little too unique for a first name living I’m Arkansas. The only name we could agree was Oliver Huxley. Everyone calls him Ollie except my grandpa (he calls him Hux). I didn’t love the name Huxley at first but now I love it. It goes perfect with his first name. We wanted something unique but not weird bc my husbands last name is super common. Some people didn’t like his name at first but now everyone says they love it! I have no regrets about his name!
So, I love this article and the thought of my ancestors hurling insults at people from a forest! I am a Huxley, and with an impending marriage and the thought of losing my relatively unusual but identifiable last name, I am in quandry. I love my name, I love the fact that my nan still lives close to the village of Huxley, and imagining the history of those that have led to my existence. Having been referred to as Hux, or Huxley, by my friends throughout my teenage years, I do sense a feeling of loss, an urge to hold onto my heritage. Becoming a Miller officially will bring a great smile to my face. My compromise, if I ever have a little, he will be Huxley Miller. I might give him a more ‘normal’ middle name in order to reduce any sort of childhood trauma! But I will do it!! I love being a Huxley.
I think that using a mother’s maiden name for a child’s given name is the kind of tradition that trumps many other considerations – and Huxley Miller sounds great! Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.
Have been reading this with a big smile! Our younger son is Huxley and we love it! Our older son is Miller! So yes Huxley Miller sounds perfect to me!
I’m due on Monday and we decided in December we were naming our son Huxley the minute I found it in our baby book. I love it – can’t wait to welcome our little Hux into the world.
We named our son Huxlee. I had never heard it before and I just fell in love with it the first time I heard it. I had originally picked cooper but then realized I knew far to many people with children called cooper, then I heard Huxlee and it was stuck in my mind for good lol. I also choose not to tell anyone till he was born cause the reaction I got from my mother when I told her was just like…..what? Lol but now she tells me she couldn’t imagin him being called anything else and just loves it 🙂 people still today ask me twice when I say his name but I don’t care. We all like and hate different names so it really doesn’t matter as long as you love it I believe. His nickname is hux. Anyway I just thought I’d share my bit too for anyone thinking about this name. It’s a beautiful name and people do come around to it and end up telling you that they really do love it hehe
I am so chuffed you have replied and really
Appreciating your thoughts. Rocco is about to turn
2 years old so the boys will often share birthday parties.
My husband is a hard house Dj so both comfortable
With The rock and rye connotations. We have a 3 year old girl called milia (
Mums Cypriot village). Certainly not up for another son – if an accident happened- he would have to be Rio 🙂 Anyway – please, please give me your
Gut instinct – Rocco and Ryder parties or indulge in the intellectual depths of
The inspiring Huxley?
Wow! What an amazing thread. I’m due in
Two days and can’t sleep due to naming our son
Either Huxley or Ryder. Our other son is Rocco
and is the coolest name for our 2 year old. Love reding all the assosiations
With Huxley but also love the Rocco and Ryder combo.
So confused with such a big decision on such quirky names.
Is this thread done or have you a moment to share your wise words
On this choice?
Are you planning more kids? (Or even think that a third child is not completely out of the question?) If so, I think that makes the decision easy – Rocco and Huxley. They’re equally energetic names that stand up to each other, but they’re distinct. I can’t imagine naming a sibling for Rocco and Ryder … Rex? Regis? Rufus? Okay, I can imagine it. But the list of options, especially for a third son, would narrow with big brothers Rocco and Ryder.
If you’re absolutely certain that #2 is The Final Child, then I share your affection for Rocco and Ryder – though it is the tiniest bit boozy, isn’t it? I can’t help but think of rock and rye … Still, I love the sounds together.
We are considering this name for our son due in August. I really wanted my husband to read the article but it’s no longer here, where did it go? 🙁 Is there any way I can get a copy?
It will be back soon! I’m working in chronological order, but give it a day or so and it will be back – promise.
We named our son Huxley after reading about Julian (he was the founder of the world wildlife fund) and saw that Thomas Huxley (Darwin’s bulldog) was the grandfather of Aldous Huxley (A Brave New World) and it sort of all ran together into this wonderful name with a rich, manly, intelligent heritage that I’ve also read is old English for “outdoorsman” as well as “Hugh’s meadow” or “meadow for the mind”. We call him Huckleberry, Hux, Huck, Huckster, and Huxley. A name that has connotations of a rambunctious boy with heart, adventure, wit, intelligence and a sense of adventure. It all combines into a wonderfully curious manly little boy and I can’t wait to read him Mark Twain when he’s older. Everyone (in the past 2 years since he’s been worn) who has heard it always comments on what a fantastic name he has and how lucky he is to have such a monniker. We never told anyone what his name was until he was born. Do NOT ask people what they think of names. Ultimately it is your choice and it doesn’t matter what other people think.
Best description of the name yet. You sold me on Huxley once and for all! He shall be Huxley Daniel Bates
Thanks