Hodges

Meaning & origin

Hodges is a rare masculine given name that originated as an English patronymic surname. Its earliest recorded usage as a first name in the U.S. dates to 1917, though it has never charted in the top 1,000. The name reached its highest point of use in 1921, aligning with the decade of the 1920s when surnames as first names were gaining modest traction. Despite this early 20th century peak, its usage has remained infrequent and stable over the past century, never indicating a surge or revival. The name derives from the medieval nickname Hodge for Roger, a popular Norman-derived name. As a direct surname transfer, Hodges fits with the modern trend of using family names as first names, but it remains a rarity compared to more common patronymics like Hudson or Harrison.

Hodges originated as a patronymic surname meaning "son of Hodge," where Hodge was a common medieval English nickname for Roger. The name Roger was introduced to England by the Normans and was extremely popular in the Middle Ages, leading to numerous pet forms and derivatives. As a given name, Hodges is rare, typically passed from a family surname.