hugh

IPA/hjˈuː/
KK[hjˈu]IPA/hjˈuː/

hugh — noun

1. a male first name that has been used in English-speaking countries since the Mid

1.nounA1
Definition

a male first name that has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages, coming from a Germanic word meaning 'heart' or 'mind'.

Example

Hugh has been working at the university library for over ten years now.

The letter was addressed to a Mr. Hugh Chen at the Taipei office.

proper noun used with title Mr.

Common collocations
  • Hugh + surname
  • Mr. Hugh + surname
  • named Hugh
  • called Hugh

Usage Note

Hugh is a given name (first name), not a surname. It is typically pronounced /hjuː/ in British English and /hju/ in American English. Common nicknames include Hughie (especially in Australia and the UK).

Common Mistakes

Hugh is my friend named Hugh.
My friend is called Hugh.
repeating the name in a single sentence sounds unnatural.
I met Hughs.
I met Hugh.
Hugh is not pluralised even when referring to multiple people with that name; use 'two men named Hugh' instead.

Word family

  • Hugo
    nounB1
  • Hughie
    nounB2
  • Hugues
    nounC1

Etymology

GermanicOld FrenchAnglo-NormanEnglish

Hugh comes from the Old French name 'Hue', which was brought to England by the Normans after 1066. The French name itself came from a Germanic root 'hug-' meaning 'heart, mind, or spirit'. The name was very popular in medieval England, partly because of Saint Hugh of Lincoln (a 12th-century bishop). In modern times, the spelling 'Hugh' became the standard English form.