Hughes is a name of French origin and means "heart" or "mind." It was traditionally given to boys born with a lively spirit or a deep intellect. The name Hughes has been prominent in French history, particularly among nobility. For instance, Hughes Capet was the first king of France from the House of Capet, which ruled for over three hundred years. Another notable figure is Hughes d'Amiens, an 11th-century chronicler and historian who wrote about the First Crusade. Despite its historic roots in France, the name Hughes has also been used in other countries, such as England and Ireland. Today, it remains a unique and distinguished choice for parents looking for a name with a rich history and meaningful signification.
The name Hughes has seen a varying level of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1896 and 2023, there have been a total of 874 babies named Hughes at birth.
The highest peak in popularity was in 1916 with 61 births that year, which is quite a significant jump compared to previous years. This could indicate a popular figure or event associated with the name Hughes around that time.
However, since then, the number of babies named Hughes has generally decreased over time, except for occasional spikes such as in 2020 and 2021 when there were 19 and 17 births respectively. This could suggest that the name Hughes is experiencing a resurgence in popularity among parents.
Overall, while the name Hughes may not be one of the most common names in the United States, it has maintained a consistent presence throughout history with varying levels of popularity. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues in the coming years.