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Hugo Boy

Popularity: #371 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationHYOO-go / /ˈhjuːɡoʊ/

German; Latin; Old French

Meaning

German: mind; heart; Latin: bright in mind; Old French: intelligent

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Hugo has its roots in the Germanic element "hug," which means "mind" or "spirit." This etymological origin can be traced back to the Old High German form "Hugo," which was adopted into Latin as "Hugonis." The name made its way into Old French as "Hugues," before entering the English language in the form of "Hugo" during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. The transition reflects the influence of Norman culture on England, where many names of Germanic origin were integrated into the vernacular.

Historically, the name Hugo has been borne by several notable figures, including Saint Hugo of Lincoln, a 12th-century bishop known for his piety and reformist efforts within the Church. His canonization in the late 12th century contributed to the name's prominence in medieval Europe. Additionally, the name is associated with the influential French writer Victor Hugo, whose literary works in the 19th century, such as "Les Misérables" and "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame," have left a lasting impact on literature and culture, further embedding the name in the cultural consciousness.

Culturally, the name Hugo has often been linked with qualities of intelligence and leadership, stemming from its original meaning related to the mind. In various traditions, it has been associated with wisdom and nobility, making it a favored choice among aristocratic families throughout history. The diminutive form "Hugh" has also been historically significant, particularly in England, where it was borne by several medieval kings and nobles. Overall, the name Hugo carries a rich historical and cultural legacy that has endured through the centuries.

Trend Summary

Hugo has seen a resurgence in popularity in the United States, particularly in the 21st century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Hugh
  • Hugo

International Variants

  • Hugo (Spanish)
  • Hugues (French)
  • Hugo (Portuguese)
  • Hugo (Italian)

Famous people named Hugo

Hugo Weaving is an actor best known for The Matrix, The Lord of the Rings, and V for Vendetta.

Hugo Boss is a fashion designer best known for founding the Hugo Boss brand and its menswear collections.

Hugo Lloris is a professional footballer best known for playing as a goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur and the French national team.

Fictional characters named Hugo

Hugo Cabret is a fictional character from the novel and film The Invention of Hugo Cabret. He is an orphaned boy living in a Paris train station who seeks to unlock the mystery of a broken automaton left by his late father.

Hugo Strange is a fictional character from the DC Comics universe. He is a brilliant psychiatrist and one of Batman's earliest foes, known for his obsession with the Dark Knight.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Hugo was first seen in the United States in 1880. Hugo has ranked as high as #695 nationally, which occurred in 2006, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Florida. In the past 5 years the name Hugo has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Hugo (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 154
21%
TX 99
14%
NY 60
8%
FL 34
5%
IL 31
4%
WA 23
3%
MA 23
3%
MN 22
3%
AZ 21
3%
NC 20
3%
PA 18
2%
GA 18
2%
OH 18
2%
VA 17
2%
MI 14
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188024
188136
188219
188338
188417
188534
188619
188730
188827
188933
189043
189127
189237
189336
189432
189539
189631
189723
189825
189918
190023
190130
190226
190319
190426
190516
190627
190723
190831
190930
191039
191159
1912107
1913117
1914169
1915195
1916200
1917183
1918184
1919159
1920161
1921201
1922139
1923151
1924159
1925157
1926159
1927132
1928132
1929152
1930143
193198
193297
193375
193466
193575
193672
193777
193857
193952
194041
194148
194249
194366
194446
194563
194659
194755
194845
194957
195059
195171
195281
195372
195480
195579
195673
195791
195889
195999
196096
196196
1962121
1963108
1964103
1965122
1966123
1967118
1968156
1969155
1970162
1971204
1972175
1973215
1974251
1975241
1976242
1977255
1978220
1979304
1980340
1981426
1982350
1983293
1984298
1985344
1986368
1987369
1988421
1989524
1990552
1991566
1992613
1993587
1994548
1995528
1996519
1997530
1998570
1999598
2000638
2001637
2002715
2003727
2004759
2005796
2006811
2007740
2008779
2009722
2010616
2011618
2012639
2013656
2014695
2015708
2016723
2017750
2018733
2019648
2020709
2021714
2022799
2023769
2024797