Baby Name Popularity Profile

Hugh

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for Hugh.

✦ Heart, mind, spirit 🌍 German traditional
National Rank (2025) #732
All-Time Peak Rank #69 Achieved 1887
Total U.S. Births 83,825 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 100.0% Boy / 0.0% Girl Male Archetype
First Recorded 1880 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 1920s 1,619 births in 1916
💡 The Hugh Vibe: Considered a Vintage Revival. A classic name from early generations that is currently experiencing a measurable statistical resurgence.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning Heart, mind, spirit
Language Origin German
Origin Type single
Derived from the Germanic element *hug*, meaning 'heart, mind, spirit'.
Common Nicknames
Hughie
Pronunciation: HYOO
Themes & Categories
traditional
Etymology confidence: High

📖 The Story Behind Hugh

According to SSA data, Hugh achieved its highest historical rank of #69 in 1887. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 1916 with 1,619 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have increased by 35.8%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 146 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of Hugh across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Rising
10-Year Shift +35.8% Growth
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 1,619 births in 1916
Years in Top 100 24 yrs
Years in Top 500 96 yrs
Registry Streak 146 yrs
Historical Volatility Highly Volatile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 2,355
1890s: 2,405
1900s: 2,176
1910s: 10,201
1920s: 14,106
1930s: 11,700
1940s: 10,998
1950s: 9,697
1960s: 6,783
1970s: 3,177
1980s: 2,075
1990s: 1,791
2000s: 1,887
2010s: 2,479
2020s: 1,995

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Hugh
Letter Count 4 letters
Spelling Complexity Easy
Length Percentile Longer than 1.4% of names
Linguistic Profile: Longer than 1.4% of SSA names. Starts with H, a letter used by only 2.2% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with Hugh.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State Georgia
Top States Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina
States with Data 51
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
Georgia #813 5,277 1916 Insufficient historical volume
Tennessee #564 3,724 1920 Insufficient historical volume
Mississippi #562 2,142 1935 Insufficient historical volume
Alabama #433 2,818 1928 Insufficient historical volume
North Carolina #697 3,775 1921 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina #571 1,799 1936 Insufficient historical volume
Kentucky Unranked 2,074 1924 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #643 2,701 1921 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas Unranked 1,201 1918 Insufficient historical volume
District of Columbia Unranked 489 1942 Insufficient historical volume
Oklahoma Unranked 1,224 1921 Insufficient historical volume
Massachusetts #350 1,987 1930 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania #616 4,325 1923 Insufficient historical volume
West Virginia Unranked 747 1924 Insufficient historical volume
Montana Unranked 235 1917 Insufficient historical volume
New York #703 5,704 1930 Insufficient historical volume
Michigan #612 2,518 1930 Insufficient historical volume
Maryland #848 1,002 1927 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri #676 1,454 1920 Insufficient historical volume
Indiana Unranked 1,502 1916 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana #619 1,131 1948 Insufficient historical volume
New Jersey #1088 1,705 1958 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #892 2,776 1921 Insufficient historical volume
Washington #586 958 1920 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas #550 603 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Florida #1085 1,904 1951 Insufficient historical volume
Illinois #553 2,737 1924 Insufficient historical volume
Oregon #556 498 1924 Insufficient historical volume
Vermont Unranked 93 1923 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa #528 711 1915 Insufficient historical volume
Texas #920 4,011 1920 Insufficient historical volume
Connecticut Unranked 561 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Idaho Unranked 201 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado Unranked 606 1922 Insufficient historical volume
Maine Unranked 210 1925 Insufficient historical volume
Utah #656 385 2020 Insufficient historical volume
Nebraska Unranked 333 1921 Insufficient historical volume
Minnesota #674 822 1924 Insufficient historical volume
Wisconsin #725 803 1920 Insufficient historical volume
California #819 3,685 1958 +20.0% Growth
Rhode Island Unranked 108 1928 Insufficient historical volume
North Dakota Unranked 96 1919 Insufficient historical volume
Wyoming Unranked 38 1920 Insufficient historical volume
New Mexico Unranked 134 1921 Insufficient historical volume
South Dakota Unranked 65 1916 Insufficient historical volume
Arizona Unranked 230 1915 Insufficient historical volume
New Hampshire Unranked 53 1930 Insufficient historical volume
Delaware Unranked 33 1960 Insufficient historical volume
Hawaii Unranked 42 1953 Insufficient historical volume
Alaska Unranked 5 1973 Insufficient historical volume
Nevada Unranked 10 1956 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

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👧 Sister Suggestions
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