Hughes
Every Hughes since 1896 — 919 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Hughes
Hughes is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #4,309 in 2025 with 24 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1896, 919 American babies have been named Hughes. Its peak came in 1916, when 61 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Hughes stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Hughes year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 24 | #4,309 |
| 2024 | 20 | #4,948 |
| 2023 | 15 | #6,039 |
| 2022 | 24 | #4,351 |
| 2021 | 17 | #5,420 |
| 2020 | 19 | #4,925 |
| 2019 | 14 | #6,216 |
| 2018 | 10 | #7,810 |
| 2017 | 12 | #6,849 |
| 2016 | 8 | #9,168 |
| 2015 | 15 | #5,833 |
| 2014 | 9 | #8,390 |
| 2013 | 15 | #5,766 |
| 2012 | 11 | #7,228 |
| 2011 | 11 | #7,173 |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | 7 | #10,249 |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | 5 | #13,061 |
| 2006 | 11 | #7,112 |
| 2005 | 8 | #8,582 |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 6 | #10,044 |
| 2002 | 6 | #9,837 |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 8 | #6,054 |
| 1985 | 5 | #6,945 |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 7 | #3,322 |
| 1950 | 10 | #2,501 |
| 1945 | 6 | #3,146 |
| 1940 | 12 | #2,128 |
| 1935 | 7 | #3,098 |
| 1930 | 16 | #1,923 |
| 1925 | 10 | #2,839 |
| 1920 | 17 | #1,997 |
| 1915 | 15 | #1,919 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Hughes in 2025?
Hughes ranked #4,309 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 24 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Hughes?
919 babies have been named Hughes in the United States since 1896, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Hughes most popular?
Hughes peaked in 1916, when 61 newborns received the name.
Is Hughes a boy or girl name?
Hughes is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Hughes rising or falling?
Hughes is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.