Hugo is a name of German origin, derived from the Old High German word "Hugih," which means "heart." The name has been associated with several notable figures throughout history, including Hugo Wolf, an Austrian composer known for his art songs and lieder, and Hugo Ball, a German poet who was one of the founding members of the Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich during World War I. Today, Hugo remains a popular choice among parents seeking a strong yet approachable name for their sons. It is often associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and charm.
The name Hugo experienced a significant increase in popularity during the early to mid-20th century, with a total of 35,835 births recorded between 1880 and 2023. While the number of births fluctuated annually throughout the first half of the century, there was a notable spike from the 1960s onwards, reaching peak popularity in the late 1970s to early 1980s with over 500 births per year. Since then, Hugo has maintained a steady level of popularity, with around 600-800 births per year from the 1990s onwards.