The nameHugo
Hugo is a boy's name of Germanic origin meaning "mind, spirit". A leading name in France and Spain, it is popular in Britain too.
- Boy's name
- Germanic
- Feast day
Meaning
Hugo comes from the Germanic hug, "mind, thought, spirit".
Origin
Germanic. Hugo is the Latin form of Hugh, used in Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and Scandinavian languages.
History
Hugo has been among the top names in France, Spain and Sweden. It reached the top 50 in England and Wales. Victor Hugo carries it as a surname.
Hugo in other languages
Hugo is the Latin form of Hugh. It is spelled Hugo in French, Spanish, Portuguese, German and Dutch, and Ugo in Italian. The older French form is Hugues, the name of King Hugh Capet.
Did you know?
- The fashion house Hugo Boss is named after its founder, the German tailor Hugo Ferdinand Boss, who opened his workshop in Metzingen in 1924.
- When Victor Hugo died in 1885, his coffin lay in state under the Arc de Triomphe before he was buried in the Panthéon.
- Hugo Lloris captained the French team that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Famous people named Hugo
- Hugo Grotius, jurist
- Hugo Lloris, footballer
- Hugo Weaving, actor
- Victor Hugo, writer (surname)
Popularity of the name Hugo
Hugo in the United States
Hugo was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 7,324 births over the decade, 20% of all recorded babies named Hugo. Its rise began around 1912, and it peaked in 2006. Half of all babies named Hugo in the United States were born before 1999. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 759 births a year.
Hugo in the United Kingdom
Hugo was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 10,126 births over the decade, 49% of all recorded babies named Hugo. Half of all babies named Hugo in the United Kingdom were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 1,248 births a year.
Hugo in Ireland
Hugo in France
Hugo in Belgium
Hugo in Switzerland
Hugo in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Hugo
Names from the same generation as Hugo, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Hugo? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Hugo with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Hugo side by side with the name of your choice.
Hugo in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hugo mean?
Hugo comes from the Germanic hug, "mind, thought, spirit".
What is the origin of the name Hugo?
Germanic. Hugo is the Latin form of Hugh, used in Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and Scandinavian languages.
Is Hugo a girl's or a boy's name?
Hugo is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Hugo?
In 2024, Hugo was the 405th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 797 births.
What are the variants of the name Hugo?
Variants and related names of Hugo include Huw.
What are good sibling names for Hugo?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Francesca, Miriam, Sylvia and Heidi for a sister, Frederick, Leonard, Alonso and Louis for a brother.
Who are famous people named Hugo?
Hugo Grotius, jurist; Hugo Lloris, footballer; Hugo Weaving, actor; Victor Hugo, writer (surname).