How Many People Are Named Hugh?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Hugh

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 6,553 living people in the United States currently have the first name Hugh. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 7,326 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #315 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~6,553CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)7,326Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#315U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year2000 (163 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~6,553
Historical Births (SSA)
7,326
All-Time Rank
#315
Historical Peak
2000

Key Insights for Hugh

Estimated Living Bearers
~6,553 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#315
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
2000
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
94.1% Male · 5.9% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~819 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Hugh

Living Population Model
~6,553

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
7,326

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
4,181

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
29.4 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
2000

Highest annual total: 163 registrations in 2000.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (-9%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Hugh has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Hugh (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 2000 (~163 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
20101291209
20111261179
20121231149
20131201128
20141171098
20151151078
20161121048
20171101028
20181081008
2019105987
2020104977
2021102957
2022100937
202399927
202497907

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
8/100
1950s
17/100
1960s
35/100
1970s
60/100
1980s
72/100
1990s
65/100
2000s
98/100
2010s
77/100
2020s
33/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Hugh has been predominantly masculine (94.1% male vs 5.9% female).

Male: 94.1% (~6,894 births)Female: 5.9% (~432 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Hugh

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Hugh in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Hugh appeared 4,181 times, ranking #221 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
4,181 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#221
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Hugh Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~819 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~81912.5%
Texas (TX)~6039.2%
Florida (FL)~4466.8%
New York (NY)~4006.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~2624%
Illinois (IL)~2563.9%
Ohio (OH)~2363.6%
Georgia (GA)~2163.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 6,553 people named Hugh are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 29.4 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Hugh: 29.4 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hugh

How many people in the U.S. are named Hugh?

Approximately 6,553 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Hugh. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 7,326 birth applications for Hugh between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Hugh?

Hugh ranks #315 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Hugh comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Hugh most popular in America?

The name Hugh reached its peak historical popularity in 2000, when 163 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Hugh?

Hugh has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Hugh?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Hugh has been predominantly masculine (94.1% male vs 5.9% female).

Where is the name Hugh most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Hugh resides in California, with approximately 819 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Hugh in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Hugh appeared 4,181 times in census returns, ranking #221 in official 2020 returns.

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