Hugo
HYOO-go /ˈhjuː.ɡoʊ/
Meaning of Hugo
Hugo is the Latinised form of the Old German given name Hugh (Hug-), from the Germanic element hug — 'mind,' 'spirit' or 'thought.' It was a common name among the Frankish nobility and Norman aristocracy who carried it into France and England. The name is widely used across France, Spain, Germany and Portugal simultaneously, making it one of the most consistent cross-European boys' names.
How to pronounce Hugo
In French: ü-GO (no initial h sound). In Spanish: U-go.
Current popularity of Hugo
Rankings from the most recent fully-published year in each national registry. Source links at the foot of the page.
| Registry | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| France (INSEE) | 2024 | #9 |
| Spain (INE) | 2024 | #7 |
| Germany (GfdS) | 2024 | #22 |
| Portugal (INE) | 2024 | #8 |
| United Kingdom (ONS) | 2024 | #19 |
Notable bearers of Hugo
Victor Hugo (French author, 1802–1885); Hugo Lloris (footballer); Hugh Jackman.
Similar names & variants
Cognates, spelling variants and close relatives. Click any name with an underline to read its own page.
Sibling-name suggestions
Names that pair stylistically with Hugo — useful as middle names or for siblings.
About this entry
Compiled by the Baby Name Finder editorial team following the rules in our Methodology and Editorial guidelines. If you spot an error, please tell us; our corrections policy is at /editorial-guidelines#corrections.
Sources
- https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2540004
- https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736177009
Last reviewed: 2026-05-31