Find out how popular the first name Hugo has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Hugo by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Hugo is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Hugo being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 765 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Hugo.

The history of the first name Hugo

The name Hugo has its origins in the Germanic languages, derived from the Old German word "hug" meaning "heart, mind, or soul." It is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 8th or 9th century.

The name's earliest recorded use can be traced back to the Frankish and Carolingian dynasties in what is now present-day France and Germany. One of the most notable historical figures with this name was Hugo Capet, who was crowned as the first King of France in 987, establishing the Capetian dynasty that would rule until the French Revolution.

In medieval literature, the name appears in various chronicles and tales, such as the Nibelungenlied, an epic poem from around the 13th century, where Hugo is mentioned as a brave warrior and nobleman.

Moving forward in history, Hugo Grotius (1583-1645) was a Dutch jurist, philosopher, and theologian, renowned for his work in laying the foundations of modern international law. His seminal work, "On the Law of War and Peace," published in 1625, is considered a landmark in legal studies.

Another prominent figure was Victor Hugo (1802-1885), the celebrated French poet, novelist, and dramatist. He is best known for his literary masterpieces, including "Les Misérables" and "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame." His works had a profound impact on French literature and culture, and he is regarded as one of the greatest writers of the Romantic era.

In the realm of science, Hugo de Vries (1848-1935), a Dutch botanist and geneticist, made significant contributions to the understanding of heredity and the laws of genetics. He is credited with rediscovering Gregor Mendel's principles of heredity and is considered one of the pioneers of modern genetics.

Lastly, Hugo Chávez (1954-2013) was a Venezuelan politician and military officer who served as the President of Venezuela from 1999 until his death. He was a prominent figure in Latin American politics, known for his socialist policies and his vocal opposition to American influence in the region.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Hugo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Hugo, please contact us.

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