The baby name Hugo could follow other o-ending boy names into greater use.
HUGH AND HUGO
The Germanic Hugh means mind, heart, or spirit.
At the end of the 900s, Hugh Capet ruled the Franks. It remained popular in the region, and the Normans brought it to England with them a century later.
It became very English, indeed, thanks to Saint Hugh, the Bishop of Lincoln.
The baby name Hugo is simply the Latinized version of Hugh.
Though Hugh also steps in for several Irish names, including fiery Aodh – the root of mega-popular Aidan.
They’re both used steadily in the US. Hugh fared well in the early twentieth century, but neither name has been used in big numbers recently.
EUROPE
It’s different on the other side of the Atlantic.
Hugo appears in the Top 100 or better in countries from Spain to Scandinavia. In the English-speaking world, it’s more popular in England and Australia than it is in the US.
FAMOUS HUGOS
Famous Hugos pop up all over the globe.
Australian actor Hugo Weaving played Elrond, the Elven Lord in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. There’s Hugo Boss clothing.
And then there’s my personal favorite: the 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.
Speaking of fiction, if you know how the Harry Potter series ends (spoiler alert), Ron and Hermione have a son named Hugo.
Nineteenth century French author Victor Hugo is known for his poetry, as well as novels novels Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
Famous figures appear from South America to Scandinavia and almost everywhere in between.
O BOY
The baby name Hugo fits in nicely with current trends, especially our love of boy names ending with o. Leo ranks in the current Top 100. Names like Milo and Arlo continue to gain in use. And traditional Theodore might be the hottest of the classic boy names at the moment, fueled by vibrant nickname Theo.
BY THE NUMBERS
The baby name Hugo has ranked in the US Top 1000 every year, with the exception of 1940 and 1948. It’s rarely made it into the US Top 300.
As of 2019, Hugo ranked #460 – about the same general rank the name has held since the 1980s.
That could make this a great opportunity. It’s a familiar name that remains relatively underused. Even if it doubled in terms of birth numbers, it would still fall somewhere in the mid-200s.
If you’re after a nicely on-trend name that feels traditional, too, the baby name Hugo could fit your requirements. Add in a great meaning, and there’s lots to love about this one.
Would you consider the baby name Hugo for a son?
First published on June 9, 2008, this post was revised substantially and updated on May 22, 2020 and again on February 10, 2021.
I love Hugo. It’s so handsome. I know two Hispanic Hugos, father and son.
I’ve never liked 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.
Thanks Apellation mountain, I look forward to your persepctive on those names!
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! My son 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, does it really deserve to be disregarded just because of the syrup? In fact, I’m making Jemima 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.
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 it goes 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.
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.
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
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 might 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. It’s up on July 2.
So funny- I have a 6 month old Hugo James. He is a chunk a munk- weighing in at 21 lbs! My husband and I were both big babies so I’m not too worried about kids calling him HUGE-o, but we make the joke a lot! 🙂
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!
Could I put in a request for the names Felicity and Romilly to be featured as names of the day – at some stage.
Thanks!
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!…
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!