Hugh - name meaning and origin

The boy's name Hugh \hu-gh\ is pronounced hew. It is of Old German origin, and its meaning is "soul, mind, intellect". Popular in the Middle Ages and the name of numerous saints. Huw is a Welsh form; Hugo is fashionable in Spain. Film director Hugh Hudson; "Playboy" founder Hugh Hefner; American Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black; actors Hugh Grant, Hugh Beaumont, Hugh Jackman; football player Hugh Douglas.

Hugh has 9 variant forms: Hew, Hewe, Huey, Hughes, Hughie, Hugo, Hugues, Huw and Ugo.

For more information, see also related names Aodh and Hewett.

Baby names that sound like Hugh are Hough, Hai, Hy, Hi, Howe and How.

Hugh is a very popular male first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy's name Hugh. Compare Hugh with related baby names.