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Deciding between Edward and Hugo?

31 replies

Ophelia55 · 19/05/2023 23:07

One is my favourite, the other is my husband’s favourite: we are at an impasse! Both have family connections/personal meaning. Which do you prefer?!

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papayabread · 19/05/2023 23:08

I like both but Edward is more versatile. There's only one type of person you imagine when you hear "Hugo"

toastofthetown · 19/05/2023 23:16

Edward is a name which has never left the top hundred which means it’s timeless and classless. It’s been so common for so long, there are no real major associations with any one Edward, because there are so many of them. The flip side to that is that it’s popular in every age group, so even when he stops mixing mostly in his own age group (where popular names are less popular) there will still be many other Edwards.

Hugo is less popular, though it’s recently had a huge spike of popularity in England and Wales. Two syllable names ending in an O sound are so trendy right now, and odds that whole name trend will date to this time period (like Christine, Jacqueline and Pauline sound dated now). Some will say Hugo sounds posh, but I think that’s not a huge issue as the name is so popular now, but the association is still there for some people. Personally I prefer Hugo go the two.

user1492757084 · 20/05/2023 01:05

Edward and Hugh -10/10
Hugo - 9/10

Threesmycrowd · 20/05/2023 03:44

Edward

Pemba · 20/05/2023 03:54

Edward, it's classic and versatile re diminutives, could be Eddie, Ted, Teddy, Ned etc.

Hugo is quite posh boy try-hard. Hugh would be more neutral but I still prefer Edward.

Merrow · 20/05/2023 04:21

Definitely Edward

garlictwist · 20/05/2023 04:23

Edward a million times. Hugo is very stuffy.

Luredbyapomegranate · 20/05/2023 10:02

They are both nice

Edward has been super popular and Hugo is having a real moment, so either way he’s going to have a fair few peers with the same name.

I’d probably go with Edward as more flexibility for short forms if he wants them. I’d avoid Teddy as v overdone right now.

DuchessOfSausage · 20/05/2023 10:44

Hugo isn't stuffy. It's very trendy now. Hugh is better.
Edward is fine but Ted/Teddy and Ned are awful.

Original poster
Ophelia55 · 20/05/2023 13:30

Thanks all. These are the names of a grandfather on each side so we aren’t really concerned about the connotations of the name (popular or stuffy!).

Aside: We can’t use Hugh or Edmund, as both have already been used by extended family.

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Doingmybest12 · 20/05/2023 13:32

Really don't like Hugo.

helpmenamemybaby · 20/05/2023 13:37

I have a Hugo so obviously I love the name.

Some people say it is posh/stuffy but it's a top 50 name right now so I think that's a fairly minority viewpoint. It might not be as timeless as Edward but my great great grandfather (born in 1864) was a Hugo, so it's not a new name either. My husband is French and I'm British and we really wanted a bilingual name. It's also very popular in other European countries like Spain and Germany and I love the fact that it travels well.

That said, Edward is a lovely name too so you can't really go wrong whatever you decide.

Original poster
Ophelia55 · 20/05/2023 14:13

@helpmenamemybaby Thank you! I’m so surprised people think of Hugo as a new name—it was first used in the early 8th century, and actually predates Edward!

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Comedycook · 20/05/2023 14:15

I prefer Edward...it has more nickname potential so he could be Edward at work or Eddie with his mates.

Hugo is a bit hooray Henry for my liking

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 20/05/2023 14:17

Edward is timeless. You’re correct that Hugo is a very old name but its current wave of popularity is recent and means that it will date him as a 2020s baby. It really depends whether or not that bothers you.

FortofPud · 20/05/2023 14:19

I like both. They also sound good together - can you make the other the middle name and just flip a coin to decide?!

ourflagmeansdeath · 20/05/2023 18:04

Hugo

SunsetOverEasterIsland · 20/05/2023 18:08

Hugo for me

DustyLee123 · 20/05/2023 18:09

Edward

Epicstorm · 20/05/2023 18:12

Love Edward. Don’t like Hugo at all.

marshmallowmatcha · 20/05/2023 18:13

Edward or Hugh

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 20/05/2023 21:03

Hugo. I really like it and definitely prefer it over Edward.

simonthedog · 20/05/2023 21:13

I don't like Hugo at all.

saraclara · 20/05/2023 21:23

I very much dislike Hugo. It's so uncomfortable to say. My tongue and mouth muscles really have to do a workout.

Edward is so much nicer and has lots of choice for nicknames.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 20/05/2023 21:45

Edward is a perennial classic - always popular so you can't guess how old or what background an Edward is. Plus so many different nicknames to pick from if he dislikes it.

Hugo is suddenly popular so might date (part of the currently fashionable ending in "O" trend - see Theo, Leo, Arlo, Milo...). Plus to anyone older it's has "posh name" connotations (hence the stereotype of Hugo Horton on Vicar of Dibley). I do have a real soft spot for simple, old fashioned Hugh though...😉