A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Hy since 1914
Babies named Hy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 34 |
| 1920s | 6 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 13 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 23 |
| 2010s | 18 |
| 2020s | 12 |
Meaning & origin
Hy is a concise, no-nonsense name that first appeared on the U.S. Social Security rolls in 1914, the same year it reached its peak usage. Since 2022, it has been on a trajectory upward, albeit from extremely low numbers, suggesting a potential revival among parents drawn to short, vintage nickname names. The name does not currently rank in the top 1000, and its rarity makes it a distinctive choice. Historically masculine, Hy has no recorded top states, indicating its usage has been scattered rather than regionally concentrated. Its simplicity and open-ended meaning allow it to pair well with longer sibling names that have a similar retro feel.
Hy is typically a diminutive of Hiram, a biblical name of Hebrew origin meaning 'exalted brother' or 'my brother is exalted'. It may also be a short form of Hyrum, a variant used in Mormon tradition, or a nickname for Hugh, which derives from Germanic 'hug' meaning 'heart, mind'. The name has been used as an independent given name in the United States since the early 20th century.
Sibling names for Hy
Names that share Hy's style, for a brother or sister.
