Hugh is the English-language variant of the masculine given name , itself the

Old French Old French (, , ; ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France approximately between the late 8th Hugo'', a short form of Continental Germanic">Hugo (name)">Hugo'', a short form of Continental Germanic Germanic name">given names A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a ...

beginning in the element "mind, spirit" (Old English ). The Germanic name is on record beginning in the 8th century, in variants ''Chugo, Hugo, Huc, Ucho, Ugu, Uogo, Ogo, Ougo,'' etc. The name's popularity in the Middle Ages ultimately derives from its use by Frankish nobility, beginning with

Duke of the Franks Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and above sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they ...

and

Count of Paris Count of Paris () was a title for the local magnate of the district around Paris in Carolingian times. After Hugh Capet was elected King of the Franks in 987, the title merged into the crown and fell into disuse. However, it was later revived ...

Hugh the Great Hugh the Great (16 June 956) was the duke of the Franks and count of Paris. He was the most powerful magnate in France. Son of King Robert I of France, Hugh was Margrave of Neustria. He played an active role in bringing King Louis IV of France ...

(898–956). The Old French form was adopted into English from the Norman period (e.g.

Hugh of Montgomery, 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury Hugh of Montgomery, 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury (died 1098), was an Anglo-Norman aristocrat and member of the House of Bellême. He was also known as Hugh the Red. Life He was the second surviving son of Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbu ...

d. 1098;

Hugh d'Avranches, 1st Earl of Chester Hugh d'Avranches ( 1047 – 27 July 1101), nicknamed ''le Gros'' (the Large) or ''Lupus'' (the Wolf), was from 1071 the second Norman Earl of Chester and one of the great magnates of early Norman England. Early life and career Hugh d'A ...

, d. 1101). The spelling ''Hugh'' in English is from the Picard variant spelling '' Hughes'', where the orthography ''-gh-'' takes the role of ''-gu-'' in standard French, i.e. to express the phoneme /g/ as opposed to the affricate /ʒ/ taken by the grapheme ''g'' before front vowels (as in Italian). The modern English pronunciation /hjuː/ is influenced by the Norman variant form '' Hue'' (/hyː/, /yː/), now only a surname, mainly from Normandy. The

Old High German Old High German (OHG; ) is the earliest stage of the German language, conventionally identified as the period from around 500/750 to 1050. Rather than representing a single supra-regional form of German, Old High German encompasses the numerous ...

name ''Hugo'' was adopted as

third declension The third declension is a category of nouns in Latin and Greek with broadly similar case formation — diverse stems, but similar endings. Sanskrit also has a corresponding class (although not commonly termed as ''third''), in which the so-ca ...

nominative into

Middle Latin Medieval Latin was the form of Literary Latin used in Roman Catholic Western Europe during the Middle Ages. It was also the administrative language in the former Roman Provinces of Mauretania, Numidia and Africa Proconsularis under the Vandals ...

(''Hugo, Hugonis''); in English, however, historical figures of the continental Middle Ages are conventionally given the name in its modern English spelling, as in

Hugh Capet Hugh Capet (; ; 941 – 24 October 996) was the King of the Franks from 987 to 996. He is the founder of and first king from the House of Capet. The son of the powerful duke Hugh the Great and his wife Hedwige of Saxony, he was elected as t ...

(941–996),

Hugh Magnus of France Hugh (, 1007 – 17 September 1025), sometimes called ''Hugh the Great'', was co-king of France under his father, Robert II, from 1017 until his death in 1025. He was a member of the House of Capet, a son of Robert II by his third wife, C ...

(1007–1025),

Hugh of Cluny Hugh (13 May 1024 – 29 April 1109), sometimes called Hugh the Great or Hugh of Semur, was the Abbot of Cluny from 1049 until his death in 1109. He was one of the most influential leaders of the monastic orders from the Middle Ages. Biograph ...

(1024–1109), Hugh of Châteauneuf (1053–1132), etc. Modern variants of the name include German , Dutch , Frisian , Welsh , Italian . In the tradition of

anglicisation Anglicisation or anglicization is a form of cultural assimilation whereby something non-English becomes assimilated into or influenced by the culture of England. It can be sociocultural, in which a non-English place adopts the English language ...

of Gaelic names by using similar-sounding, but etymologically unrelated replacements, ''Hugh'' also serves as a replacement for and (see Hughes (surname),

Hughes (given name) Hughes is a given name. Notable people with the name include: * Hughes Cleaver (1892–1980), Canadian politician * Hughes Eng (fl. from 1959), Canadian community activist * Hughes Rudd (1921–1992), American television journalist and n ...

People with the mononym

Noblemen and clergy

French

(died 956), Duke of the Franks *

(1007–1025), co-King of France under his father, Robert II * Hugh, Duke of Alsace (died 895), modern-day France * Hugh of Austrasia (7th century), Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia * Hugh I, Count of Angoulême (1183–1249) * Hugh II, Count of Angoulême (1221–1250) * Hugh III, Count of Angoulême (13th century) * Hugh IV, Count of Angoulême (1259–1303) * Hugh, Bishop of Avranches (11th century), France * Hugh I, Count of Blois (died 1248) * Hugh II, Count of Blois (died 1307) * Hugh of Brienne (1240–1296), Count of the medieval French County of Brienne * Hugh, Duke of Burgundy (d. 952) * Hugh I, Duke of Burgundy (1057–1093) *

Hugh II, Duke of Burgundy Hugh is the English-language variant of the masculine given name , itself the Old French variant of ''Hugo (name), Hugo'', a short form of Continental Germanic Germanic name, given names beginning in the element "mind, spirit" (Old English ). ...

(1084–1143) * Hugh III, Duke of Burgundy (1142–1192) * Hugh IV, Duke of Burgundy (1213–1272) * Hugh V, Duke of Burgundy (1294–1315) *

(939–996), King of France * Hugh, Count of Champagne (c. 1074–1125) * Hugh of Châteauneuf (1052–1132), Bishop of Grenoble *

(1024–1109), French Abott, later canonized as Saint Hugh the Great * Hugh I of Cyprus (1195–1218) * Hugh II of Cyprus (1253–1267) * Hugh III of Cyprus and Hugh I of Jerusalem (1235–1284) *

Hugh IV of Cyprus Hugh IV (1293/1296 – 10 October 1359) was King of Cyprus from 31 March 1324 to his abdication, on 24 November 1358 and, nominally, King of Jerusalem, as Hugh II, until his death. The son of Guy, Constable of Cyprus (son of Hugh III of Cyprus) ...

(1295–1359) * Hugh of Die (1040–1106), French papal legate, and Archbishop of Lyon * Hugh, abbot of Lagny (died 1171), France * Hugh of Lincoln (1140–1200), aka Hugh of Avalon or Hugh of Burgundy * Hugh I of Lusignan (early tenth century) * Hugh II of Lusignan (died 967) * Hugh III of Lusignan (late tenth century) * Hugh IV of Lusignan (died 1026) * Hugh V of Lusignan (died 1060) * Hugh VI of Lusignan (died 1110) * Hugh VII of Lusignan (1065–1151) * Hugh VIII of Lusignan (12th century) * Hugh IX of Lusignan (1163 or 1168 – 1219) * Hugh X of Lusignan (1195–1249) * Hugh XI of Lusignan (1221–1250) * Hugh XII of Lusignan (13th century) * Hugh XIII of Lusignan (1259–1303) * Hugh I, Count of Maine (ruled 900–933) * Hugh II, Count of Maine (ruled 950–992) * Hugh III of Maine (960–1015) * Hugh IV, Count of Maine (died 1051) * Hugh V, Count of Maine (died 1131) * Hugh I, Count of Rethel (1040–1118) * Hugh II, Count of Rethel (died 1227) * Hugh III of Rethel (1227–1242) * Hugh IV, Count of Rethel (1244–1285) * Hugh (abbot of Saint-Quentin) (802–844), France * Hugh, Count of Soissons (died 1305), France * Hugh, Count of Toulouse (died 978), France * Hugh (archbishop of Vienne) (died 1155), France

Anglo-Norman/English

* Hugh (Dean of York), first Dean of York *

(died 1101) * Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk (1095–1177), second son of Roger Bigod, Sheriff of Norfolk * Hugh de Kevelioc, 3rd Earl of Chester (1147–1181) *

Hugh Bigod, 3rd Earl of Norfolk Hugh Bigod ( – 18 February 1225) was a member of the powerful early Norman Bigod family and was for a short time the 3rd Earl of Norfolk. Origins He was born c. 1182, the eldest son of Roger Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk by his wife Ida d ...

(1182–1225), eldest son of Roger Bigod, Sheriff of Norfolk * Hugh le Despencer (justiciar) (1223–1265), Baron le Despencer * Hugh le Despenser (sheriff) (died 1238), High Sheriff of Berkshire * Hugh le Despenser, 1st Earl of Winchester (1261–1326) * Hugh the younger Despenser (1286–1326), son of Hugh le Despenser, Earl of Winchester * Hugh, Baron Dacre of Glanton Trevor-Roper (1914–2003), a British historian * Hugh Percy (disambiguation) * Hugh Seymour (disambiguation)

Gaelic

* Hugh of Sleat (died 1498), chieftain of Clan Donald *

Hugh O'Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone (; – 20 July 1616) was an Irish lord and key figure of the Nine Years' War (Ireland), Nine Years' War. Known as the "Great Earl", he led the confederacy of Irish lords against the Crown, the English Crown in r ...

(1540–1616), Irish chieftain who resisted the annexation of Ireland by Elizabeth I of England * Hugh Roe O'Donnell (1572–1602), Prince of Tyrconnell, led a rebellion against English government in Ireland * Hugh Dubh O'Neill (1611–1660), Irish soldier who commanded the defenders in the Siege of Clonmel and Siege of Limerick * Hugh O'Neill, 1st Baron Rathcavan (1883–1982), Ulster Unionist politician who served as Father of the House of Commons The Gaelic name Aodh/Aedh/Aed is often translated into English as Hugh. Persons sharing this name who traditionally use the Gaelic form are listed below: *

Áed Rúad Aodh ( , , ; ) is a masculine Irish and Scottish Gaelic given name, which was traditionally anglicized as Hugh. The name means "fire" and was the name of a god in Irish mythology.The modern word meaning 'inflammation' or as a phrase with the ...

, legendary High king of Ireland *

Áed mac Echach Áed mac Echach Tirmcharna (died 575) was a King of Connacht from the Uí Briúin branch of the Connachta. He was the son of Echu Tirmcharna mac Fergusso (died ca. 556). He came to the throne in the year 557 and ruled until 575. The slaying of ...

(died 575), king of Connacht *

Áed Dub mac Suibni Áed Dub mac Suibni (died c. 588) was an Irish king of the Dál nAraidi in the over-kingdom of Ulaid (in modern Ulster). He may have been king of the Ulaid. Áed was succeeded by his great-nephew Fiachnae mac Báetáin. Áed Dub — Black ...

(died 588), king of Dál nAraidi *

Áed Dibchine Áed Dibchine mac Senaig (died 595) was a King of Leinster from the Uí Máil branch of the Laigin. He is the first king of this branch to hold the overlordship of Leinster. The '' Book of Leinster'' king lists mention a certain Áed Cerr mac ...

(died c.595), king of Leinster *

Áed mac Ainmuirech Áed mac Ainmuirech (born c.530 – died 598) was High King of the Northern Uí Néill. He belonged to the Cenél Conaill and was a distant cousin of Columba of Iona. He was the son of Ainmuire mac Sétnai (died 569), a previous possible high k ...

(died 598), High king of Ireland * Áed Sláine (died 604), High king of Ireland * Áed Rón mac Cathail (died 604), king in Leinster * Áed Uaridnach (died 612), High king of Ireland * Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn (died 618), king of or in Munster * Áed Dub mac Colmáin (died 639), bishop of Kildare * Áed Aired (died 698), king of Dál nAraide * Áed Róin (died 735), king of Dál Fiatach * Áed mac Colggen (died 738), king of Leinster * Áed Balb mac Indrechtaig (died 742), king of Connacht * Áed Muinderg (died 747), king of northern Uí Néill * Áed Find (died 778), king of Dál Riata * Áed Oirdnide (died 819), king of Ailech * Áed mac Boanta (died 839), probably king in Dál Riata * Áed of Scotland (died 878), king of the Picts * Áed Findliath (died 879), king of Ailech * Áed Ua Crimthainn (mid 12th century), abbot of Terryglass * Aedh mac Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair (13th century), king of Connacht * Aedh Muimhnech mac Felim Ua Conchobair (13th century), king of Connacht * Aedh mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair (13th century), king of Connacht * Aedh mac Aedh Breifneach Ua Conchobair (14th century) * Aodh, Earl of Ross (died 1333)

Other people

* Hugh of Arles or Hugh of Provence (10th century), King of Italy * Hugh, Margrave of Tuscany aka Hugo or Ugo (950–1001), Italy * Hugh, Count of Suio (1023–1040), Count of Suio in the Duchy of Gaeta, Italy * Hugh of Saint Victor (1078–1141), Saxon noble and mystic philosopher * Hugh of Ibelin (12th century), noble in the Kingdom of Jerusalem * Hugh of Jabala (12th century), bishop of Jabala, Syria * Hugh (archbishop of Edessa) (died 1144), Upper Mesopotamia * Hugh (archbishop of Palermo) (died c. 1165/6)

People with the given name

* Hugh Alan Anderson (1933–2015), Canadian politician * Hugh D. Auchincloss (1897–1976), American stockbroker and lawyer, stepfather of

Gore Vidal Eugene Luther Gore Vidal ( ; born Eugene Louis Vidal, October 3, 1925 – July 31, 2012) was an American writer and public intellectual known for his acerbic epigrammatic wit. His novels and essays interrogated the Social norm, social and sexual ...

and

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Jacqueline Lee Kennedy Onassis ( ; July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was an American writer, book editor, and socialite who served as the first lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963, as the wife of President John F. Kennedy. A popular f ...

* Hugh Beaumont (1910–1982), American Actor * Hugh M. Bland (1898–1967), Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court *

Hugh Bonneville Hugh Richard Bonniwell Williams (born 10 November 1963), known professionally as Hugh Bonneville, is an English actor. He is best known for portraying Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, in the ITV historical drama series ''Downton Abbey'' from ...

(born 1963), English actor * Hugh Carey (1919–2011), American politician and attorney of the Democratic Party * Hugh Cornwell (born 1949), English musician, guitarist * Hugh Dancy (born 1975), English actor * Hugh Dane (1942–2018), American actor * Hugh Dennis (born 1962), British Actor and Comedian * Hugh Edmund Peter de Mel (1907–1992), Sri Lankan Sinhala politician * Hugh Downs (1921–2020), American broadcaster and announcer * Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (born 1965), English chef, broadcaster and campaigner * Warnakulasuriya Ichchampullige Hugh Fernando (1916–1993), Sri Lankan Sinhala politician * Hugh Norman Gregory Fernando (1910–1976), Chief Justice of Sri Lanka from 1966–1973 *

Hughie Gallacher Hugh Kilpatrick Gallacher (2 February 1903 – 11 June 1957) was a Scottish people, Scottish association football, football player in the 1920s and 1930s. In 597 senior club games, Gallacher scored 419 goals, playing league football for Airdri ...

(1903–1957), Scottish footballer *

Hugh Glass Hugh Glass ( 1783 – 1833) was an American frontiersman, Trapping, fur trapper, trader, hunter and explorer. He is best known for his story of survival and forgiveness after being left for dead by companions when he was mauled by a grizzly bear ...

(1783–1833), American frontiersman *

Hugh Grant Hugh John Mungo Grant (born 9 September 1960) is an English actor. He established himself early in his career as a charming and vulnerable romantic leading man, and has since transitioned into a character actor. He has received List of awards ...

(born 1960), English actor * Hugh Griffith (1912–1980), Welsh actor *

Hugh Hefner Hugh Marston Hefner (April 9, 1926 – September 27, 2017) was an American magazine publisher. He was the founder and editor-in-chief of ''Playboy'' magazine, a publication with revealing photographs and articles. Hefner extended the ''Playboy ...

(1926–2017), American adult magazine publisher * Hugh Herbert (1885–1952), American motion picture comedian * Hugh Herdon (1871–1958), British Indian Army officer *

Hugh Hopper Hugh Colin Hopper (29 April 1945 – 7 June 2009) was a British progressive rock and jazz fusion bass guitarist. He was a prominent member of the Canterbury scene, as a member of Soft Machine and other bands. Biography Early career Starting i ...

(1945–2009), English musician, bassist * Hugh Jackman (born 1968), Australian actor * Hugh Lane (1875–1915), Irish art collector * Hugh Laurie (born 1959), English actor * Hugh McDowell (1953–2018), English cellist, member of Electric Light Orchestra * Hugh McElhenny (1928–2022), American football (gridiron) player *

Hugh Mercer Hugh Mercer (January 16, 1726 – January 12, 1777) was a Scottish brigadier general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He fought in the New York and New Jersey campaign and was mortally wounded at the Battle of Pri ...

(1726–1777), Scottish-born American military officer *

Hugh O'Brian Hugh O'Brian (born Hugh Charles Krampe; April 19, 1925 – September 5, 2016) was an American actor and humanitarian, best known for his starring roles in the American Broadcasting Company, ABC Western (genre), Western television series ' ...

(1925–2016), American actor * Hugh Paddick (1915–2000), English actor * Hugh V. Perkins (1918–1988), American human development and education author, researcher and professor * Hugh Robertson (basketball) (born 1989), American basketball player * Hugh Fred Rupasinghe (1931-2019), Sri Lanka Army officer, commander of Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna * Hugh W. Sanford (1879–1961), American businessman and writer from Tennessee * Hugh Segal (1950-2023), Canadian senator * Hugh Thornton (American football) (born 1991), American football player *

Hugh Walpole Sir Hugh Seymour Walpole, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, CBE (13 March 18841 June 1941) was an English novelist. He was the son of an Anglican clergyman, intended for a career in the church but drawn instead to writing. Among ...

(1884–1941), English novelist * Hugh E. Wright (1879–1940), French-English actor

Fictional characters

* Hugh (''Kiba'') * Hugh (''Star Trek'') * Hugh "Wee Hughie" Campbell, a ''The Boys'' character ** Hugh Campbell, Sr., Hughie's father * Hugh Neutron, a ''Jimmy Neutron'' character

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hugh (Given Name) English masculine given names Masculine given names it:Ugo ro:Hugo