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Baby names

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Original poster

Hugh or Hugo?

37 replies

Ophelia55 · 06/06/2023 17:35

I love both, and was originally keen on Hugh until I chatted to a close friend: a Hugh who wishes he was Hugo. Apparently his name is frequently misheard (Hugh/You/who).

Hugo does feel a little more bouncy and current (even though it dates back to mediaeval times). Which do you prefer?

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TheMurderousGoose · 09/06/2023 18:49

One of the ditzy Geordie girls on Gogglebox has a son called Hugh. I was most surprised. Thought she'd be more likely to go down the Teddy or Roman route.

I'd pick Hugh over Hugo as like a pp said Hughs are solid and dependable types and for me Hugo is still a bit hooray Henryish.

Beachywave · 09/06/2023 18:11

Prefer is spelt "Huw" but none are really to my taste

orangeflags · 08/06/2023 17:48

Hugh is a lovely name

SmurfHaribos · 08/06/2023 17:35

Hugo

TrueScrumptious · 08/06/2023 13:36

I prefer Hugh to Hugo, though there is something about the hyoo sound that I don’t like.

wingsofabird · 08/06/2023 13:31

Hugo is a lovely name and I love the family connection @Ophelia55
stick with that

Underminer · 08/06/2023 00:22

Hugho First ruined the name for me.

MrsMikeDrop · 08/06/2023 00:10

Daisybuttercup12345 · 07/06/2023 23:53

I prefer Hugh.
I know a few dogs called Hugo.

Agree with this too re Hugo being dogs name. But also Hugh Hefner. Ugh. So many better names than these!!

WideButShallow · 07/06/2023 23:57

Love Hughie

Judgyjudgy · 07/06/2023 23:57

Lately everyone I meet has a Hugo, imo way too common

Daisybuttercup12345 · 07/06/2023 23:53

I prefer Hugh.
I know a few dogs called Hugo.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 07/06/2023 20:43

Ah OP, dripfeed! Grin If you'd said it was your Grandfather's name I would have voted differently, as I think family links are lovely (my own DS was named after my Grandad).

While I still prefer the sound of Hugh (it was on my own list for DS), you should definitely go for Hugo in your case! A names stereotype is always worth considering imo (but not a reason to absolutely use it or not !) - but as you implied, due to Hugo's popularity now it no longer really has those connotations much anymore (just like Henry - they are everywhere now so no more "Hooray Henry" stereotype).

shoopshoopdedoo · 07/06/2023 16:06

Not especially keen on either but, of the two, definitely prefer Hugh. I meet so many baby/toddler Hugos, and am also put off by the “posh” association!

Original poster
Ophelia55 · 07/06/2023 15:56

Goodness me, I am so surprised at all the class anxiety here! Especially for a name that’s in the top 50: it can’t be both popular/commonly used and upper class/pretentious, can it?! My grandfather was Hugo, and he was the loveliest, kindest man. Perhaps because of the family connection I don’t see it as trendy at all. (Plus, It’s a very old name).

Anyhow, I’m a little put off by the feedback, so perhaps I’ll go back to the drawing board. Thanks for the comments!

OP posts:
continentallentil · 07/06/2023 00:00

I like Hugh of the two

DramaAlpaca · 06/06/2023 23:51

Hugh, by far. Good, solid, dependable name. I've never met a Hugh I didn't like.

Hugo, on the other hand, sounds pretentious.

user1492757084 · 06/06/2023 23:40

Hugh

elderflowerandpomelo · 06/06/2023 23:02

Hugo sounds like a posh twit. It’s a name that will always peg the owner (like Gideon or Rupert). Avoid!!

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 06/06/2023 22:54

Hugh for me by far. Yes, there is the "you" thing, but Hugh has a nicer sound, and is more classic feeling imo.

I guess it depends on whether you want a trendy name or not? Or do you want to be slightly ahead of the trend?

Basically Hugo is trendy now (as part of the "O" ending boys trend) but was considered "posh boy" by many people until it became popular, as it wasn't used often apart from in the upper class set until more recently. Impossible to guess whether it will stay popular now or be more of a fad.

Where as Hugh was consistently used/fairly popular statistically until the 60's or so and thus will very likely make a comeback - just like similar "classic" but slightly "Dad/Grandad "feeling names like Francis, Walter, Eric, Stanley, Leonard, Albert etc have (all names like Hugh that were in the top 100 till around the 60's but are either back again now or on their way there).

BriarHare · 06/06/2023 20:24

I know a Hugh and a Hugo.

Love both but Hugo is best.

PickledScrump · 06/06/2023 20:23

Hugo. Hugh just conjures images of some dirty old man

CuteCillian · 06/06/2023 20:20

I like both (which I realise is not very helpful).

Minikievs · 06/06/2023 20:20

Throwawayme · 06/06/2023 17:38

Crumbs, neither really. Maybe because the nickname for Hugh in Scotland is Shug for some reason. I guess I prefer Hugo at a push.

Is it??? Shuggie Bain is one of my favourite books (best reads??? Maybe that's a better description) and I never knew it was a nickname for Hugh! Every day is a school day

OP I prefer Hugo if I had to choose but neither of them are great name IMO

IWonderWhereThatDishDidGo · 06/06/2023 20:19

I like both, but see your point about Hugh wishing he was Hugo... I'd probably prefer to be called Hugo thinking about it. It is more well used these days which can be a positive or negative obviously

MidsummerNightsDream · 06/06/2023 20:18

Hugh, definitely