Find out how popular the first name Hugues has been for the last 7 years (from 1985 to 1991) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Hugues by gender

Based on the last 7 years of data, Hugues is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1991, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Hugues.

The history of the first name Hugues

The name Hugues is derived from the Germanic name Hugo, which is composed of the elements hug (meaning "heart, mind, or spirit") and wald (meaning "rule"). The name ultimately comes from the Old Frankish language, spoken by the Franks, a West Germanic tribe that inhabited parts of modern-day France, Belgium, and the Netherlands during the early Middle Ages.

The name Hugues is the French form of the name Hugo and was widely used in medieval France. One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Hugues Capet, who reigned as King of France from 987 to 996. He was the founder of the Capetian dynasty, which ruled France until the French Revolution in the late 18th century.

Another notable figure in history with the name Hugues was Hugues de Payens (c. 1070–1136), a French knight who co-founded the Knights Templar, a powerful Catholic military order during the Crusades. The Knights Templar played a significant role in the defense of the Holy Land and the protection of Christian pilgrims.

In the realm of literature, Hugues de Saint-Victor (c. 1096–1141) was a influential medieval philosopher, theologian, and writer. He was a leading figure in the Scholastic movement and wrote extensively on various subjects, including theology, philosophy, and mysticism.

The name Hugues was also borne by several notable figures in the arts. Hugues Sambin (c. 1520–1601) was a French sculptor and architect known for his intricate woodcarvings and furniture designs, which exemplified the French Renaissance style.

Hugues Merle (1823–1881) was a French painter and illustrator who specialized in historical scenes and portraits. He was a member of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and received numerous commissions from the French government and the Catholic Church.

While the name Hugues was particularly popular in France and other parts of Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, it has since become less common but still retains its historical significance and cultural associations.

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 Hugues was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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