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Baby names

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Original poster

Opinions on Hugh for a baby

60 replies

Barb20 · 14/10/2024 11:42

We have massively struggled to agree on boy names for our baby due in December/January. We both like Hugh but I know it’s not the most usual choice so wondered what the general feeling is, be honest!

We also both like Oliver and Joseph but I think I want him to have a bit of a less common name. Husband prefers classic names and Hugh seems to tick both boxes at the moment.

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eggandonion · 16/10/2024 09:52

Dh has a ni uncle called Hugh. Hughie for short...pronounced Queue-ie.
My nice Dublin friends have a lovely son called Hugh, pronounced properly. As in the fabulous Hugh Grant.

Dustyblue · 16/10/2024 09:44

If your surname is Fearnley-Whittingstall it'd be lovely.

Sorry, just binge-watched River Cottage. I do like that particular Hugh.

MrsGusset · 16/10/2024 07:41

Hugh is a lovely name in itself but, as other posters have pointed out, when spoken does run into & merge with the surname. So the whole thing needs to be said out loud to avoid any howlers.

For example best not to use it if your surname is Dunnett, Rynall or Janus.

Dustyblue · 16/10/2024 04:16

Rarebitten · 14/10/2024 11:58

Unless your surname begins with a soft ‘g’ sound so that Hugh sounds like ‘Huge’ eg Hugh Jass etc.

That made me laugh 😂

I like Hugh, good classic name. But again, depends on surname. I once read about a man called Hugh Gordon Rection, so Hugh G. Rection. You don't want that!

user1492757084 · 16/10/2024 02:57

UltramarineViolet · 14/10/2024 11:46

It's one of my favourite boy's name

Classic but not too popular

Easy to spell/ pronounce

IMHO it's far superior to Hugo which has a slight 'posh dimwit' vibe about it

Agree.

Hugh also has a gorgeous meaning.
Bright of mind.

I love many older gentleman names like ..
Roger, Gerald etc.

Ask the questions - Does it sound smart following Sir?
Could they be a friend of my Grandad?

Eg.
Sir Hugh
Sir Lancelot
Grandad's friend, Hugh.
Grandad's friend, Bruce.

Sk1sk0 · 15/10/2024 20:21

Love it. Classy and known but not often used.

WillowTit · 15/10/2024 19:02

i knew a scottish man named ian, who decided to call himself Hugh, down south.
cant remember why

HoratioNightboy · 15/10/2024 15:54

Shug/Shuggy is really only prevalent on the west coast. Most I've met are known as Hughie. The old Scots spelling Hew seems to be in use again in Scotland, as is Hewie as a given name.

I do prefer it to your other suggestions, OP.

PurpleChrayn · 15/10/2024 12:03

No.

UltramarineViolet · 15/10/2024 10:23

Hopefully the OP doesn't live in NI or Scotland 😅

ODFOx · 14/10/2024 22:47

It's a great name unless you are Scottish, because the Scottish nickname for Hugh is Shug/Shuggy, which is awful.
I know 3 Hughs. One is 7 and very English. Two are in their 50s and of them, one is a Shugy (one G).
It's a crime.

herbygarden · 14/10/2024 22:35

I also love it and I have a Joseph!

GoldenLegend · 14/10/2024 21:49

Simple, unusual and dead classy. Go for it!

I also like the Welsh spelling.

ToxicKat · 14/10/2024 21:35

I like it. I know a little Huey, very cute.

LoveTheRainAndSun · 14/10/2024 21:32

I am in the minority here and really don't like it. I like Oliver and haven't met any Josephs for a long time.

RogueFemale · 14/10/2024 21:29

Not that keen on Hugh but it's better than Hugo.

resm · 14/10/2024 21:19

PreggersWithBaby2 · 14/10/2024 20:34

Parts of Northern Ireland pronounce it like the letter "Q" or a pool "cue".

Show quote history

Yes, I’m from Belfast and have a beloved uncle Hugh. When I was a kid, I thought he was Q short for Quentin. I have a nephew called Hugh, named after him, pronounced Hugh & Q by separate family members. It’s a great name though.

PreggersWithBaby2 · 14/10/2024 20:34

UltramarineViolet · 14/10/2024 11:46

It's one of my favourite boy's name

Classic but not too popular

Easy to spell/ pronounce

IMHO it's far superior to Hugo which has a slight 'posh dimwit' vibe about it

Parts of Northern Ireland pronounce it like the letter "Q" or a pool "cue".

FayCarew · 14/10/2024 20:31

Huw isn't said exactly like Hugh, and given that the name became well-known because of you-know-who, I wouldn't use that spelling.

waddleandtoddle · 14/10/2024 20:15

I have a Hugh amongst mine. I love the meaning of the name and he is adorable and completely owns the name. Much better than Hugo. Downsides; Europeans can't pronounce it so becomes Hugo abroad; it rhymes with poo so they'll be a time young reception kids realize this; takes a while for kids to learn how to pronounce it and they default to 'who'; and the name gets rhymed to that poem Pugh Pugh, digbert, Cuthbert McGrew or something! Only would spell Huw if definitely Welsh.

Manchesterbythesea · 14/10/2024 19:59

I’m not keen on Hugh tbh but my ds11 has a a new Hugh friend and it’s growing on me and ds is one of the other names you like.

Hedjwitch · 14/10/2024 19:52

In a similar vein,I rather like Ian/ Iain.

WillowTit · 14/10/2024 19:30

although i do remember a man coming to the reception desk where i worked saying to my colleague, I have come to see Hugh and she said, who have you come to see, and he repeated Hugh.
she thought he was saying You
Grin

FayCarew · 14/10/2024 19:29

Hugh Dennis, Hugh Laurie, Hugh Bonneville, Huge Actman,

girljulian · 14/10/2024 19:21

Hugh Grant, Hugh Dancy, Hugh Laurie, so many great Hughs! Love it. Hugo could never.