Hugo
Hugo: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhjuː.ɡəʊ/ · /ˈhju.ɡoʊ/
Meaning and origin of Hugo
Root meaning: “thought, mind, spirit”
- A male given name from the Germanic languages, a Latinized form of Hugh.
Etymology
From Old French Hugo, of Germanic origin, from Frankish *hugi (“thought, mind, spirit”).
How popular is Hugo?
Since 1880, 36 girls and 37,482 boys in the U.S. have been named Hugo (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #9915 in 1993. Its highest rank for boys was #263 in 1881. In 2025 it ranked #378 for boys, with 837 babies given the name.
Names similar to Hugo
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic boy names
Sibling name ideas for Hugo
Sister and brother names that share Hugo's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Hugo FAQ
What does the name Hugo mean?
Hugo traces back to a root meaning "thought, mind, spirit". A male given name from the Germanic languages, a Latinized form of Hugh. From Old French Hugo, of Germanic origin, from Frankish *hugi (“thought, mind, spirit”).
What is the origin of the name Hugo?
Hugo is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Hugo?
Since 1880, 36 girls and 37,482 boys in the U.S. have been named Hugo (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #9915 in 1993. Its highest rank for boys was #263 in 1881. In 2025 it ranked #378 for boys, with 837 babies given the name.
Is Hugo a boy or girl name?
Hugo is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 36 girls and 37,482 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.