| Rudolph | Hugo | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | famous wolf | Mind, intellect |
| Origin | germanic | Germanic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | ROO-dolf | HYOO-goh |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 0 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1927 (1,690) | 2025 (837) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 837 |
| Trend | Vintage | Near its peak |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Rudolph | Hugo |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 170 | 4,630 |
| 2010s | 392 | 6,787 |
| 2000s | 589 | 7,324 |
| 1990s | 1,054 | 5,611 |
| 1980s | 1,703 | 3,732 |
| 1970s | 2,186 | 2,271 |
| 1960s | 3,535 | 1,198 |
| 1950s | 6,652 | 794 |
| 1940s | 6,553 | 529 |
| 1930s | 8,200 | 812 |
| 1920s | 12,561 | 1,543 |
| 1910s | 6,857 | 1,412 |
| 1900s | 1,339 | 251 |
| 1890s | 998 | 311 |
| 1880s | 652 | 277 |
From the Germanic name Hrodwulf, combining 'hrod' ('fame') and 'wulf' ('wolf'), hence 'famous wolf'. The '-olph/-olf' ending preserves the wolf element.
From the Germanic hug, “mind,” “heart” or “intellect.”
Hugo is more popular than Rudolph today: about 837 US babies were given the name Hugo in 2025, compared with 0 named Rudolph.
Rudolph means famous wolf (germanic origin), while Hugo means Mind, intellect (Germanic origin).
In US records, Rudolph first appears in 0 and Hugo in 1880, so Rudolph has the longer recorded history.