Hector Boy

Popularity: #381 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HEK-tor //ˈhɛk.tər//

Origin: Greek; Latin

Meaning: Greek: holding fast; Latin: steadfast

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Hector has its roots in ancient Greek, derived from the name Ἕκτωρ (Hektor), which is believed to mean 'holding fast' or 'steadfast.' This name is prominently featured in Homer's epic poem, the Iliad, dating back to the 8th century BCE, where Hector is depicted as a noble Trojan prince and a formidable warrior, known for his bravery and sense of honor. The Latin form of the name, Hectore, was adopted into Roman culture, further solidifying its presence in the classical world.

As the name transitioned into Old French as Hecteur, it eventually made its way into Middle English, maintaining its original form and significance. Throughout history, Hector has been associated with various cultural and literary figures, notably in the context of chivalry and heroism.

The character of Hector in the Iliad has been interpreted as a symbol of noble sacrifice and loyalty, which resonated through the ages, influencing medieval literature and the ideals of knighthood. In the 12th century, the name gained additional prominence through the works of medieval poets who celebrated the Trojan hero, further embedding Hector in the cultural consciousness of Europe.

In addition to its literary significance, the name has been borne by several historical figures, including saints and military leaders, which contributed to its enduring legacy. The name Hector has been associated with various virtues such as courage and honor, making it a symbol of heroic ideals in various cultures.

The diminutive form, Hec, has also appeared in literature and folklore, although it is less commonly used. Overall, the name Hector encapsulates a rich tapestry of historical and cultural significance that has persisted through centuries.

Famous people named Hector

In this section, you will find notable people named Hector. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Hector who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Hector who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Hector Berlioz is a composer best known for Symphonie fantastique, Harold in Italy, and Roméo et Juliette.

Hector Elizondo is an actor best known for Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries, and Chicago Hope.

Hector Lavoe is a singer best known for his contributions to salsa music and albums like La Voz and De Ti Depende.

Hector Camacho is a boxer best known for his titles in multiple weight classes and his fights against Oscar De La Hoya and Julio César Chávez.

Fictional characters named Hector

The following list of fictional characters named Hector is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Hector is a fictional character from the epic poem Iliad. He is a Trojan prince and the greatest warrior for Troy in the Trojan War.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Hector, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

AlexanderJulianSebastianMaximilianGabrielLeonardoMatteo

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Hector. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

VictorDectorHedleyHendrickHarrisonHugoHarlanHenderson

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Hector was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Hector has ranked as high as #302 nationally, which occurred in 2005, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Arizona.

In the past 5 years the name Hector has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Hector is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Hector was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Hector.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 779 779 0
2024 864 864 0
2023 831 831 0
2022 927 927 0
2021 901 901 0
2020 856 856 0
2019 985 985 0
2018 1,012 1,012 0
2017 1,074 1,074 0
2016 1,100 1,100 0
2015 1,194 1,194 0
2014 1,214 1,214 0
2013 1,257 1,257 0
2012 1,325 1,325 0
2011 1,414 1,414 0
2010 1,562 1,562 0
2009 1,845 1,845 0
2008 2,186 2,179 7
2007 2,243 2,243 0
2006 2,327 2,327 0
2005 2,458 2,458 0
2004 2,009 2,004 5
2003 1,998 1,998 0
2002 1,942 1,942 0
2001 1,910 1,905 5
2000 1,979 1,979 0
1999 1,920 1,915 5
1998 1,815 1,815 0
1997 1,870 1,870 0
1996 1,978 1,966 12
1995 1,888 1,877 11
1994 1,991 1,973 18
1993 2,050 2,032 18
1992 2,031 2,018 13
1991 2,052 2,036 16
1990 2,003 1,991 12
1989 1,817 1,806 11
1988 1,674 1,656 18
1987 1,611 1,592 19
1986 1,492 1,474 18
1985 1,506 1,492 14
1984 1,352 1,336 16
1983 1,382 1,369 13
1982 1,538 1,525 13
1981 1,416 1,410 6
1980 1,469 1,448 21
1979 1,437 1,421 16
1978 1,257 1,243 14
1977 1,152 1,144 8
1976 1,265 1,254 11
1975 1,259 1,245 14
1974 1,231 1,213 18
1973 1,202 1,194 8
1972 1,129 1,115 14
1971 1,185 1,176 9
1970 1,136 1,125 11
1969 1,133 1,127 6
1968 1,048 1,039 9
1967 943 936 7
1966 938 938 0
1965 974 967 7
1964 953 945 8
1963 968 958 10
1962 931 924 7
1961 905 899 6
1960 871 871 0
1959 922 915 7
1958 839 839 0
1957 813 808 5
1956 801 801 0
1955 800 800 0
1954 654 649 5
1953 626 626 0
1952 600 600 0
1951 595 590 5
1950 473 473 0
1949 467 467 0
1948 423 423 0
1947 333 333 0
1946 300 300 0
1945 258 258 0
1944 241 241 0
1943 240 240 0
1942 193 193 0
1941 178 178 0
1940 192 192 0
1939 172 172 0
1938 183 183 0
1937 156 156 0
1936 166 166 0
1935 180 175 5
1934 185 185 0
1933 198 198 0
1932 172 172 0
1931 189 189 0
1930 198 198 0
1929 192 192 0
1928 186 186 0
1927 182 182 0
1926 146 146 0
1925 138 138 0
1924 139 139 0
1923 127 127 0
1922 123 123 0
1921 129 129 0
1920 119 119 0
1919 107 107 0
1918 90 90 0
1917 85 85 0
1916 91 91 0
1915 108 108 0
1914 58 58 0
1913 51 51 0
1912 51 51 0
1911 35 35 0
1910 18 18 0
1909 18 18 0
1908 15 15 0
1907 16 16 0
1906 12 12 0
1905 12 12 0
1904 17 17 0
1903 11 11 0
1901 5 5 0
1900 19 19 0
1899 12 12 0
1898 10 10 0
1897 14 14 0
1896 12 12 0
1895 7 7 0
1894 8 8 0
1893 6 6 0
1892 15 15 0
1891 13 13 0
1890 6 6 0
1889 7 7 0
1888 18 18 0
1887 7 7 0
1886 6 6 0
1885 9 9 0
1884 11 11 0
1883 10 10 0
1882 6 6 0
1881 6 6 0
1880 15 15 0

Top States for Hector (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 226
27%
CA 172
21%
AZ 56
7%
FL 41
5%
IL 27
3%
NC 27
3%
WA 25
3%
NY 24
3%
CO 20
2%
GA 17
2%
MA 17
2%
NJ 15
2%
PA 14
2%
VA 14
2%
NV 13
2%
IN 12
1%
MD 11
1%
AL 11
1%
NM 10
1%
OK 9
1%
OR 8
1%
TN 8
1%
KS 7
1%
KY 7
1%
LA 7
1%
CT 7
1%
MN 6
1%
SC 6
1%
AR 6
1%
WI 5
1%
NE 5
1%
OH 5
1%