Hughes Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Hughes has its roots in Old French, derived from the Germanic Hugo, meaning heart, mind, or spirit. It evolved through various forms including Hugo and Hugues before becoming Hughes. The name has been popular in England since the Norman Conquest and is often associated with notable individuals today. It carries a classic appeal, often linked to nobility and intellect, and has no direct biblical significance.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Hughes"
Pronunciation
/hjuːz/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Hughes originates from the Old French name 'Hugues', which itself is derived from the Germanic 'Hugo', meaning 'heart', 'mind', or 'spirit'.
Meaning
heart, mind, spirit
Language Evolution
Hugo, Hugues, Hughes
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in England after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century and has been used widely since the Middle Ages.
Variants & Derivatives
Hugh, Hughie, Hughey
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Hughes is viewed as a classic surname with a strong, historical connotation, often associated with nobility and intellectualism.
Famous People
Hugh Hefner, Hugh Jackman, Hughes Oliphant Old
📊 Hughes Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Hughes Name Visualizations
✨ Hughes Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 61 peak births in 1916
Geographic Spread
Popular across 5 US states, with strongest presence in North Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Hughes"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Hughes"
"Hughes" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1763rd of 7545 | 302 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2541st of 6773 | 165 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3480th of 7552 | 102 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7574th of 10718 | 21 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 9366th of 16616 | 39 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 10269th of 24088 | 81 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5900th of 23106 | 178 |
Regional Popularity of "Hughes" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
57.23% 1354th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
74.46% 5080th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Hughes" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Hughes"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Hughes" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Hughes" in the United States
The name Hughes is most popular in North Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Hughes has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Hughes' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1763rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2541st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3480th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7574th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 9366th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 10269th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5900th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Hughes' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.