National Houston Day on July 25 celebrates the strength and vigor of the name Houston, a representation of the mountains of Scotland’s west coast where it originated. Did you know that Houston traces its origin to the French masculine name Hugo? Houston, pronounced “HEW-ston,” originated from Irish, Gaelic, and Old English. In Old English, Houston means “the settlement belonging to Hugh.” Houston is mainly a masculine name, and it’s used in the United States as both a surname and a place name. Famous people named Houston include Whitney Houston (American singer), Wyatt Houston (American football player), Sam Houston (Texas independence hero), and Fitz Houston (American actor).
History of National Houston Day
The name Houston is a Scottish surname originating from the mountains of Scotland’s west coast and the Hebrides islands. The Houston family came from the medieval Scottish given name, Hugh, which, in turn, was the English-language variant of Hugo ― a Continental Germanic-given name. Houston is the combination of the Germanic word ‘hug’ (mind, spirit) and the Middle English ‘tun’ (town, settlement).
In Medieval France, Hugh and Hugo’ were adopted as first names by the French aristocracy, who were enamored by their meaning. People bearing Hugh or Hugo were considered intelligent or bright in heart, mind, and spirit. In the 11th century, the French introduced the names to English after the 1066 Norman Conquest of Britain. The veneration of individuals such as Saint Hugh of Lincoln and Little Saint Hugh of Lincoln between the 12th and 13th centuries further increased the popularity of the name among English speakers. Huchon (a French diminutive of Hugh) was later gaelicized by Scottish speakers to Mac Ulstean, meaning “the son of Hugh.” That led to the birth of the Clan Hugh in Scotland. In the late 13th century, the first recorded spelling of the surname appeared in Scotland, where it was rendered as ‘de Hustone.’
Houston, Texas, was established in 1836 by the Allen brothers — Augustus Chapman and John Kirby. The town was named in honor of Sam Houston, the first Texan President. Houston was a descendant of Scottish and Irish immigrants who had settled in Colonial America in the 1730s. He was one of the key figures that helped Texas obtain independence from Mexico and later became a U.S. Senator and Governor of Texas.
National Houston Day timeline
The French Aristocracy adopts Hugh and Hugo as first names.
The 1066 Norman Conquest introduces Hugh to the English language.
The spelling of Clan Hugh appears in Scotland as de Hustone.
The Allen brothers establish the town of Houston, naming it after President Sam Houston.
National Houston Day FAQs
What type of name is Houston?
Houston is a surname, first name, and place name originating from Irish, Gaelic, and Old English.
Can Houston be a girl’s name?
Houston is commonly a name given to a boy, but it can also be a girl’s name. According to BabyCenter, it ranks 4,864th in popularity for baby girls’ names.
Is Houston a rare name?
While Houston is not a rare name, it’s gradually becoming one of the least popular names for babies in the United States. According to ohbabynames.com, Houston currently ranks 973rd in popularity.
National Houston Day Activities
Send your wishes on social media
The simplest thing you can do on National Houston Day is to send your best wishes to all Houstons worldwide. And the perfect place for that is on social media. Use your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok to wish Houstons a happy National Houston Day!
Take a Houston out for lunch
Do you have a friend named Houston or Hugh (similar to Houston)? National Houston Day is all about celebrating their awesome selves. So take them out for lunch at their favorite restaurant or hangout spot.
Houston is most popularly known for being a name of a place in the United States. To celebrate National Houston Day, visit Houston and have the best fun. There are several tourist attractions for you to enjoy, including the Space Center, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Toyota Center, and Discovery Green.
5 Interesting Facts About Houston
The world capital of several things
Houston, Texas, is the world capital of space exploration, air conditioning, the international energy industry, petroleum exploration, and capital punishment.
It’s named after Sam Houston
Houston is named after Sam Houston, a Texas independence hero and the first president of the Republic of Texas.
The world’s largest rodeo
Houston's Livestock Show and Rodeo is the largest rodeo in the world.
Home to the world’s largest medical center
The Texas Medical Center in Houston is the largest in the world, with 54 medicine-related institutions covering over 1,000 acres.
The first domed stadium
The Astrodome, built in 1965, is the world’s first multi-purpose domed sports stadium.
Why We Love National Houston Day
The name is versatile
While Houston is well-known for being a name of a place in the United States, it also has other uses. It’s popularly used as a surname and a first name, a naming practice becoming trendy in the United States.
It has a powerful meaning
Houston originated from the old English word, ‘Hugh.’ The name means ‘soul,’ ‘mind,’ and ‘intellect.’ That creates a perception that those named Houston are people of solid character, highly dependable and resilient, and possess great intelligence.
Houston, Texas, is one of the best places to live
Houston is among the best cities in the United States and the world. It’s the world’s capital of several things and home to attractions such as the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center, and Space Center Houston. Houston also offers affordable housing for new families and a booming job market.
National Houston Day dates