Hubert is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Frankish name HUBERTUS, which itself consists of two elements: "hubert" meaning "bright" or "clear", and "-bert", a diminutive suffix. Therefore, the overall meaning of Hubert is "bright and brilliant".
The name Hubert has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages in Europe. It was borne by several notable figures throughout centuries, including Saint Hubert (also known as Hubertus), who lived in the 7th century AD. He was a bishop from Liège, Belgium, renowned for his devotion to Christianity and his work converting pagans to Christianity. Due to his pious life and miracles attributed to him after death, Saint Hubert became the patron saint of hunters, mathematicians, and metalworkers.
In France, the name Hubert gained prominence during the Middle Ages through several members of the French royal house who bore this name. Among them was King Hubert I of France (840-843), son of Emperor Louis the Pious. Additionally, Hubert of Vermandois was a 9th-century French nobleman and count of Vermandois.
Over time, Hubert has been adopted by various languages and cultures, with slight variations in spelling such as Umberto in Italian or Humberto in Spanish. Today, it remains a popular name in many countries around the world, particularly in France, Belgium, Germany, and Italy.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Hubert experienced varying popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1912 and 1948, there were a total of 189 babies named Hubert.
The name's peak popularity seemed to be during the late 1920s and early 1930s, with the highest number of births recorded in 1928 (14 births) and 1929 (15 births). This indicates that these years were particularly favorable for the name Hubert.
However, there was a noticeable decline in popularity thereafter. From 1930 onwards, the number of births per year dropped significantly, with only five to eight babies named Hubert annually until 1948. The lowest point occurred in 1943, with just five births recorded that year.
These statistics suggest that while Hubert was once a reasonably popular name, its popularity has since declined over time. Despite this decrease in usage, it remains a name with historical significance and may still be chosen by parents looking for a distinctive or traditional moniker.