UK boy's name
Hektor
A masculine name of Greek origin meaning "holding fast" or "steadfast".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Hektor is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Hektor popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3688, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2019, with 12 births.
This profile covers 98 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 2008 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 42% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 97 living people in the UK are called Hektor. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Hektor ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2019, when 12 boys were registered as Hektor.
- • About 97 living people in the UK are estimated to have Hektor as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3688
2024
Births in 2024
5
Latest year
Peak year
2019
12 births
Estimated living
97
2026
Meaning
What does Hektor mean?
The given name Hektor originated from the ancient Greek language and culture. It is derived from the Greek word "hektōr," which means "to hold" or "to sustain." The name was likely associated with strength, protection, and fortitude.
One of the earliest and most famous references to the name Hektor comes from Greek mythology. In Homer's epic poem, the Iliad, Hektor was a Trojan prince and the greatest fighter for Troy during the Trojan War against the Greeks. He was known for his bravery, honor, and devotion to his family and city. Hektor's tragic death at the hands of Achilles is a pivotal moment in the poem.
The name Hektor continued to be used in ancient Greece and throughout the Hellenistic period. It was commonly given to male children in hopes that they would embody the courage and valor associated with the mythological hero. The name eventually spread to other regions influenced by Greek culture, such as parts of the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Hektor was Hektor of Ephesus, a Greek grammarian and literary critic who lived in the 2nd century BC. Another notable figure was Hektor of Caesarea, a Roman officer and administrator who served under the Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD.
In later centuries, the name Hektor was adopted by various cultures and civilizations influenced by Greek and Roman traditions. For instance, Hektor Malet (c. 1170-1226) was a French crusader and nobleman who participated in the Fifth Crusade. Hektor Berlioz (1803-1869) was a renowned French Romantic composer best known for his Symphonie Fantastique.
Hektor Malot (1830-1907) was a French writer and author of the popular children's novel "Sans Famille" (Nobody's Boy). Hektor Guimard (1867-1942) was a French architect and a prominent figure in the Art Nouveau movement, famous for his iconic Paris Métro entrances.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Hektor over time
The chart below shows babies named Hektor registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Hektor, the clearest high point is 2019. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 12 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Hektor by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Hektor was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3272 | 29 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2833 | 66 | 9 |
| 2000s | #4432 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Hektor
- Harry 141,693
- Henry 65,177
- Harrison 45,958
- Harvey 35,648
- Harley 22,095
- Hugo 18,779
- Hayden 12,622
- Hunter 10,350
- Hudson 9,104
- Hamza 8,564
- Hassan 5,982
- Hasan 3,599
FAQ
Hektor: questions and answers
How popular is the name Hektor in the UK right now?
In 2024, Hektor was ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Hektor most popular?
The peak year on record was 2019, with 12 babies registered as Hektor in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Hektor?
A masculine name of Greek origin meaning "holding fast" or "steadfast".
How many people are called Hektor in the UK?
A total of 98 babies have been registered as Hektor across the 15 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.