Hugh is a distinctive choice, ranked #500 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Hugh in their class.
💎
UK Rank 2024
#500
US Rank #763
About the Name Hugh
Hugh has seen a notable decline in recent years, dropping 116 places in five years. It was most popular in 1997 at #198 — parents choosing it today are making a deliberately counter-trend decision. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Hugh is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it sits at #763 — notably more popular in the UK than across the Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Hugh
Unlikely. With around 78 UK babies named Hugh per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Hugh in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Hugh has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 116 places in the last five years. Its peak was #198 in 1997. Choosing it now means he is likely to be among the last of his generation with this name.
Hugh is more popular in the UK (#500) than in the US (#763). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Hugh ranks #763 in the US top 1,000 (2024). It's recognised in America but considerably more popular in the UK.
78
UK babies named Hugh (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.0
In a school of 600
↓ 116 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Hugh
Likely around 1 other Hugh in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Hugh
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Hugh Thomas may refer to: Hugh Thomas (actor), Welsh actor Hugh Thomas, Baron Thomas of Swynnerton, British historian and writer Hugh Thomas (equestrian), British ex-Olympian and Badminton Horse Trials director and course-designer Hugh Thomas (choral conductor), American choral conductor, pianist and educator Hugh Thomas (coach), Australian rules football coach Hugh Hamshaw Thomas, British paleobotanist Hugh Owen Thomas, Welsh surgeon Hugh Thomas (priest) (c.
Sir Hugh de Audley of Stratton Audley, Lord of Stratton Audley, was a 13th- and 14th-century English noble. During his life he acted as Constable of Montgomery Castle, Sheriff of Shropshire, Sheriff of Staffordshire, Justice of North Wales, Keeper of Selkirk Forest, and acted as an ambassador to France.
Sir Hugh de Morville was an Anglo-Norman knight who served King Henry II of England in the late 12th century. He is chiefly famous as one of the assassins of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury in 1170.