Hugo Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Hugo Name Meaning

Fact: The Hugo Award is a prestigious accolade given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements, named after Hugo Gernsback, who founded the pioneering science fiction magazine “Amazing Stories.”

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Hugo Overview

Meaning

Mind, intellect, bright in mind and spirit

Gender

Boy

Origin

Germanic

Etymology

Derived from the Germanic word “hug.”

Religion

Christianity, Judaism

Pronunciation

/ˈhjuː.goʊ/

Popularity

Hugo is a beloved name in many countries, including France, Spain, and Sweden. In the USA, Hugo ranked 415th for boys in 2023

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

6 (Nurturing, Responsible, Balanced)

Name Styles

Classic, Popular, Short

Associated Traits

Intelligent, charismatic, thoughtful, creative

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Hugo often signifies wisdom and intellect, with a rich historical presence in European literature and culture.

Name Day

April 1st (France)
A Deep Dive

Hugo Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Hugh, Hugues, Ugo, Hugon, Hew

Common Nicknames

Huey, Huggy, Go-go, Hughie, Hoogie

Diminutives

Hug, Hugs, Hu, Hugsy, Hugger

Famous People

  • Victor Hugo
    (French Author)
  • Hugo Weaving
    (Australian Actor)
  • Hugo Chávez
    (Venezuelan President)
  • Hugo Lloris
    (French Footballer)
  • Hugo Grotius
    (Dutch Jurist)
  • Hugo Black
    (American U.S. Supreme Court Justice)
  • Hugo Wolf
    (Austrian Composer)
  • Hugo Pratt
    (Italian Cartoonist)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Hugo Cabret
    ("Hugo," Film)
  • Hugo Strange
    ("Batman: Arkham City," Video Game)
  • Hugo Stiglitz
    ("Inglourious Basterds," Film)
  • "The Invention of Hugo Cabret"
    (Novel)

Places

  • Hugo City
    (Oklahoma, USA)
  • Hugo Lake
    (Oklahoma, USA)
  • Hugo Town
    (Colorado, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Hugo?

The name Hugo means “mind” or “intellect,” highlighting intelligence and insight. It also signifies being “bright in mind and spirit.” Individuals named Hugo are thoughtful and perceptive, often excelling in areas that require keen mental abilities.

What Is the Origin of The Name Hugo?

Hugo has Germanic roots, derived from the Old High German word “hugu.” The name became popular in many European countries through various historical figures and saints.

Hugo Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Hugo in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#4352021#3992022#4152023
Top 3 Rankings#2591890#2621881#2631883

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Hugo

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023415
(-16 from 2022)
765
(-34 from 2022)
0.04178
2022399
(+36 from 2021)
799
(+85 from 2021)
0.04266
2021435
(-14 from 2020)
714
(+5 from 2020)
0.03811
2020421
(+41 from 2019)
709
(+61 from 2019)
0.03833
2019462
(-40 from 2018)
648
(-85 from 2018)
0.03372
2018422
(-6 from 2017)
733
(-17 from 2017)
0.03771
2017416
(+14 from 2016)
750
(+27 from 2016)
0.03790
2016430
(+2 from 2015)
723
(+15 from 2015)
0.03569
2015432
(+3 from 2014)
708
(+13 from 2014)
0.03463
2014435
(+3 from 2013)
695
(+39 from 2013)
0.03392
2013438
(-5 from 2012)
656
(+17 from 2012)
0.03246
2012433
(+6 from 2011)
639
(+21 from 2011)
0.03149
2011439
(+1 from 2010)
618
(+2 from 2010)
0.03042
2010440
(-33 from 2009)
616
(-106 from 2009)
0.02998
2009407
(-19 from 2008)
722
(-57 from 2008)
0.03404
2008388
(+12 from 2007)
779
(+39 from 2007)
0.03573
2007400
(-30 from 2006)
740
(-71 from 2006)
0.03341
2006370
No change from 2005
811
(+15 from 2005)
0.03699
2005370
(-4 from 2004)
796
(+37 from 2004)
0.03742
2004366
(-1 from 2003)
759
(+32 from 2003)
0.03591
2003365
(+3 from 2002)
727
(+12 from 2002)
0.03460
2002368
(+28 from 2001)
715
(+78 from 2001)
0.03460
2001396
(+3 from 2000)
637
(-1 from 2000)
0.03080
2000399
(+6 from 1999)
638
(+40 from 1999)
0.03055
1999405
(+11 from 1998)
598
(+28 from 1998)
0.02933
1998416
(+13 from 1997)
570
(+40 from 1997)
0.02811
1997429
(+3 from 1996)
530
(+11 from 1996)
0.02653
1996432
No change from 1995
519
(-9 from 1995)
0.02590
1995432
(-14 from 1994)
528
(-20 from 1994)
0.02625
1994418
(-25 from 1993)
548
(-38 from 1993)
0.02688
1993393
(-16 from 1992)
586
(-27 from 1992)
0.02837
1992377
(+24 from 1991)
613
(+47 from 1991)
0.02920
1991401
(+15 from 1990)
566
(+14 from 1990)
0.02670
1990416
(-9 from 1989)
552
(+28 from 1989)
0.02565
1989407
(+32 from 1988)
524
(+103 from 1988)
0.02500
1988439
(+21 from 1987)
421
(+52 from 1987)
0.02103
1987460
(-6 from 1986)
369
(+1 from 1986)
0.01892
1986454
(+10 from 1985)
368
(+24 from 1985)
0.01915
1985464
(+21 from 1984)
344
(+46 from 1984)
0.01788
1984485
(+7 from 1983)
298
(+5 from 1983)
0.01588
1983492
(-36 from 1982)
293
(-57 from 1982)
0.01572
1982456
(-63 from 1981)
350
(-76 from 1981)
0.01855
1981393
(+63 from 1980)
426
(+86 from 1980)
0.02287
1980456
(+15 from 1979)
340
(+36 from 1979)
0.01833
1979471
(+94 from 1978)
304
(+84 from 1978)
0.01697
1978565
(-50 from 1977)
220
(-35 from 1977)
0.01288
1977515
(+1 from 1976)
255
(+13 from 1976)
0.01492
1976516
(-1 from 1975)
242
(+1 from 1975)
0.01482
1975515
(-13 from 1974)
241
(-10 from 1974)
0.01485
1974502
(+33 from 1973)
251
(+36 from 1973)
0.01540
1973535
(+67 from 1972)
215
(+41 from 1972)
0.01332
1972602
(-29 from 1971)
174
(-30 from 1971)
0.01039
1971573
(+66 from 1970)
204
(+42 from 1970)
0.01122
1970639
(-2 from 1969)
162
(+7 from 1969)
0.00850
1969637
(-28 from 1968)
155
(-1 from 1968)
0.00847
1968609
(+76 from 1967)
156
(+38 from 1967)
0.00879
1967685
(-17 from 1966)
118
(-5 from 1966)
0.00663
1966668
(+4 from 1965)
123
(+1 from 1965)
0.00677
1965672
(+81 from 1964)
122
(+19 from 1964)
0.00644
1964753
(-7 from 1963)
103
(-5 from 1963)
0.00508
1963746
(-48 from 1962)
108
(-13 from 1962)
0.00523
1962698
(+82 from 1961)
121
(+25 from 1961)
0.00576
1961780
(-4 from 1960)
96
No change from 1960
0.00445
1960776
(-9 from 1959)
96
(-3 from 1959)
0.00443
1959767
(+22 from 1958)
99
(+10 from 1958)
0.00457
1958789
(-3 from 1957)
89
(-2 from 1957)
0.00413
1957786
(+88 from 1956)
91
(+18 from 1956)
0.00416
1956874
(-49 from 1955)
73
(-6 from 1955)
0.00340
1955825
(-18 from 1954)
79
(-1 from 1954)
0.00378
1954807
(+40 from 1953)
80
(+8 from 1953)
0.00387
1953847
(-65 from 1952)
72
(-9 from 1952)
0.00360
1952782
(+51 from 1951)
81
(+10 from 1951)
0.00410
1951833
(+60 from 1950)
71
(+12 from 1950)
0.00371
1950893
(+18 from 1949)
59
(+2 from 1949)
0.00324
1949911
(+136 from 1948)
57
(+12 from 1948)
0.00316
19481047
(-91 from 1947)
45
(-10 from 1947)
0.00252
1947956
(-100 from 1946)
55
(-4 from 1946)
0.00296
1946856
(-81 from 1945)
59
(-4 from 1945)
0.00357
1945775
(+174 from 1944)
63
(+17 from 1944)
0.00459
1944949
(-141 from 1943)
46
(-20 from 1943)
0.00331
1943808
(+139 from 1942)
66
(+17 from 1942)
0.00454
1942947
(-29 from 1941)
49
(+1 from 1941)
0.00348
1941918
(+89 from 1940)
48
(+7 from 1940)
0.00383
19401007
(-161 from 1939)
41
(-11 from 1939)
0.00346
1939846
(-30 from 1938)
52
(-5 from 1938)
0.00459
1938816
(-134 from 1937)
57
(-20 from 1937)
0.00502
1937682
(+16 from 1936)
77
(+5 from 1936)
0.00704
1936698
(-1 from 1935)
72
(-3 from 1935)
0.00677
1935697
(+54 from 1934)
75
(+9 from 1934)
0.00701
1934751
(-66 from 1933)
66
(-9 from 1933)
0.00622
1933685
(-88 from 1932)
75
(-22 from 1932)
0.00735
1932597
(-1 from 1931)
97
No change from 1931
0.00903
1931596
(-98 from 1930)
97
(-47 from 1930)
0.00907
1930498
(-22 from 1929)
144
(-8 from 1929)
0.01275
1929476
(+49 from 1928)
152
(+20 from 1928)
0.01372
1928525
(+7 from 1927)
132
No change from 1927
0.01157
1927532
(-56 from 1926)
132
(-27 from 1926)
0.01136
1926476
(+7 from 1925)
159
(+2 from 1925)
0.01388
1925483
(+8 from 1924)
157
(-2 from 1924)
0.01364
1924491
(+7 from 1923)
159
(+8 from 1923)
0.01360
1923498
(+32 from 1922)
151
(+12 from 1922)
0.01334
1922530
(-101 from 1921)
139
(-62 from 1921)
0.01235
1921429
(+50 from 1920)
201
(+40 from 1920)
0.01766
1920479
(-5 from 1919)
161
(+2 from 1919)
0.01463
1919474
(-39 from 1918)
159
(-25 from 1918)
0.01566
1918435
(-18 from 1917)
184
(+1 from 1917)
0.01755
1917417
(-25 from 1916)
183
(-17 from 1916)
0.01908
1916392
(-7 from 1915)
200
(+5 from 1915)
0.02166
1915385
(-22 from 1914)
195
(+26 from 1914)
0.02214
1914363
(+31 from 1913)
169
(+52 from 1913)
0.02473
1913394
(-22 from 1912)
117
(+10 from 1912)
0.02182
1912372
(-15 from 1911)
107
(+48 from 1911)
0.02370
1911357
(+83 from 1910)
59
(+20 from 1910)
0.02444
1910440
(+22 from 1909)
39
(+9 from 1909)
0.01870
1909462
(-33 from 1908)
30
(-1 from 1908)
0.01696
1908429
(+57 from 1907)
31
(+8 from 1907)
0.01863
1907486
(-62 from 1906)
23
(-4 from 1906)
0.01450
1906424
(+168 from 1905)
27
(+11 from 1905)
0.01874
1905592
(-183 from 1904)
16
(-10 from 1904)
0.01117
1904409
(+78 from 1903)
26
(+7 from 1903)
0.01877
1903487
(-99 from 1902)
19
(-7 from 1902)
0.01469
1902388
(-63 from 1901)
26
(-4 from 1901)
0.01959
1901325
(+152 from 1900)
30
(+7 from 1900)
0.02595
1900477
(-39 from 1899)
23
(+5 from 1899)
0.01419
1899438
(-44 from 1898)
18
(-7 from 1898)
0.01563
1898394
(-2 from 1897)
25
(+2 from 1897)
0.01893
1897392
(-54 from 1896)
23
(-8 from 1896)
0.01886
1896338
(-56 from 1895)
31
(-8 from 1895)
0.02402
1895282
(+26 from 1894)
39
(+7 from 1894)
0.03080
1894308
(-21 from 1893)
32
(-4 from 1893)
0.02562
1893287
(+16 from 1892)
36
(-1 from 1892)
0.02974
1892303
(+22 from 1891)
37
(+10 from 1891)
0.02815
1891325
(-66 from 1890)
27
(-16 from 1890)
0.02471
1890259
(+35 from 1889)
43
(+10 from 1889)
0.03592
1889294
(+59 from 1888)
33
(+6 from 1888)
0.02772
1888353
(-47 from 1887)
27
(-3 from 1887)
0.02078
1887306
(+97 from 1886)
30
(+11 from 1886)
0.02744
1886403
(-119 from 1885)
19
(-15 from 1885)
0.01596
1885284
(+166 from 1884)
34
(+17 from 1884)
0.02932
1884450
(-187 from 1883)
17
(-21 from 1883)
0.01385
1883263
(+153 from 1882)
38
(+19 from 1882)
0.03379
1882416
(-154 from 1881)
19
(-17 from 1881)
0.01557
1881262
(+88 from 1880)
36
(+12 from 1880)
0.03325
1880350
First SSA data recorded
24
First SSA data recorded
0.02027

American States Popularity Rankings for Hugo

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2782021#2902022#2702023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3532021#3322022#3732023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3482021#3302022#2772023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#3362021#4882022#3442023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#6172021#6432022#5952023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#4432021#5512022#4822023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3572021#3372022#4762023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2362021#2882022#2822023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2932021#2852022#3102023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#4392021#2972022#3582023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#5392021#5322022#5992023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#4932021#4442022#3582023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2522021#2702022#4032023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#7742021#5532022#4122023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#7222021#3932022#5542023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#8092021#5852022#4762023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#2562021#2662022#4592023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#5562021#2712022#4312023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#8242021#5422022#5652023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#3502021#3482022#4652023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#6602020#5102022#5842023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4402021#4852022#4172023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#6022021#4762022#5032023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#5482021#3752022#5282023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3922021#3782022#1962023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#8472021#5502022#7902023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#6042021#4922022#5962023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1682021#1112022#2092023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#6532021#5162022#4402023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#6172020#5232022#4362023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3442020#5282021#3362022

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#6042017#7872018#8252022

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#5792020#5982022#4052023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2311921#4342012#4652023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4522017#5812021#4102023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2782019#4392022#2892023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#5752014#6762018#6242022

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2121917#2181926#2001928

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#8502016#8552020#8732022

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1792006

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1102020

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2432023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5742017

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1541915

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#3082013

Popularity Rankings for Hugo in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#12020#22021#32022

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#42021#42022#22023

Popularity in Galicia, Spain

Galicia, Spain flagGalicia, Spain#42020#32021#52022

Popularity in Estonia

Estonia flagEstonia#72016-2020#32021-2023

Popularity in Catalonia, Spain

Catalonia, Spain flagCatalonia, Spain#112020#102021#102022

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#102020#112021#162022

Popularity in Finland

Finland flagFinland#122021#122022#182023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#162020#182021#222022

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#262021#212022#19First half of 2023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#352021#212022#212023

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Basque Country, Spain flagBasque Country, Spain#312020#282021#222022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#262021#292022#232023

Popularity in Latvia

Latvia flagLatvia#841920#682015#332020

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#482019#512020#452021

Popularity in Portugal

Portugal flagPortugal#472012

Popularity in Slovakia

Slovakia flagSlovakia#482021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#642021#522022#572023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1502021#892022#672023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#952020#1012021#1082022

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#1142020#1042021#1012022

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#1072021#1212022#1142023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#1182021#1122022#1122023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#1342021#1162022#1232023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#2002021#1492022#2232023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#1682021#1522022#1522023

Popularity in Czechia

Czechia flagCzechia#1852014#1682015#1622016

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1931995#1731998#1981999

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1822018#1822019#1932020

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#2022020#2142021

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2042021#2032022#2232023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#2942022#2442023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Hugo a Name for Boys or Girls?

Hugo is usually a boy’s name. Its traditional and historical context points to its masculine use.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Hugo

Hugo in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Victor Hugo (Author, 1802–1885): A French writer who penned classic novels like "Les Misérables" and "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame."
  • Hugo Weaving (Actor, born 1960): An Australian actor famous for his roles in "The Matrix" and "The Lord of the Rings" series.
  • Hugo Chávez (Venezuelan President, 1954–2013): A Venezuelan politician who served as the country's president from 1999 until his death in 2013.
  • Hugo Lloris (Footballer, born 1986): A French professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper and captain for Tottenham Hotspur and the French national team.
  • Hugo Grotius (Jurist, 1583–1645): A Dutch jurist whose works laid the foundations for international law.
  • Hugo Black (U.S. Supreme Court Justice, 1886–1971): An American lawyer, politician, and associate justice of the Supreme Court.
  • Hugo Wolf (Composer, 1860–1903): An Austrian composer of Slovene origin, known for his art songs (Lieder).
  • Hugo Pratt (Cartoonist, 1927–1995): An Italian comic book creator, known for the series "Corto Maltese."
  • Hugo Cabret ("Hugo," 2011 Film): A young orphan living in a Paris train station who embarks on an adventure to unlock a mystery left by his father.
  • Hugo Strange ("Batman: Arkham City," 2011 Video Game): A brilliant but insane psychiatrist who becomes a major antagonist in Gotham City.
  • Hugo Stiglitz ("Inglourious Basterds," 2009 Film): A German soldier who defects to the Allies and joins a team of Jewish-American soldiers on a mission against the Nazis.
  • "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" (2007 Novel): Follows the story of Hugo Cabret, a boy who lives alone in a Paris train station and fixes clocks.
  • Hugo Drax ("Moonraker," 1979 Film): A wealthy industrialist who plans to destroy human life on Earth and rebuild civilization in space.
  • Hugo Reyes ("Lost," 2004 TV Series): A lottery winner who ends up stranded on a mysterious island with other survivors.
  • Hugo City (Oklahoma, USA): A small city in southeastern Oklahoma that serves as the county seat of Choctaw County.
  • Hugo Lake (Oklahoma, USA): A reservoir in Choctaw County, used for flood control, water supply, and recreation.
  • Hugo Town (Colorado, USA): A statutory town in Lincoln County on the Eastern Plains of Colorado.

Similar Names to Hugo