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NamyLab

Hughes

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Son of Hugh"

Primarily a patronymic surname from Hugh, occasionally repurposed as a given name in English speaking contexts.

Themes:patronymicwelshsurnamegivenname
UniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Hughes

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#4932Ranked nationally
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
Unranked

Hughes did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Hughes Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Hughes.

5 ideas
hugy
Nickname
hugh
Nickname
ghes
Nickname
hesy
Nickname
ghey
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Hughes

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Hughes, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

14 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Hughes mean?
Hughes means "Son of Hugh". Primarily a patronymic surname from Hugh, occasionally repurposed as a given name in English speaking contexts.
What is the origin of Hughes?
Hughes is of Welsh origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Hughes?
According to the latest SSA data, Hughes is currently ranked #4932 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Hughes a boy name?
Hughes is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Hughes?
Popular nicknames for Hughes include hugy, hugh, ghes, hesy, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Hughes?
There are many names similar to Hughes in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginWelsh, English
Syllables2
Length6 letters
US Rank#4932
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withH

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Hughes

Hughes has Welsh roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Welsh baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Hughes appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Traditional English Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls and Baby Names Starting with H.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Hughes pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Hughes beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.