The unusual name Hud first appeared in the baby name data in 1964:
- 1966: unlisted
- 1965: 6 baby boys named Hud
- 1964: 9 baby boys named Hud [debut]
- 1963: unlisted
- 1962: unlisted
Where did it come from?
The Western Hud (1963), which was set on a failing cattle ranch in Texas. The movie starred Paul Newman as unscrupulous Hud Bannon, son of ranch owner Homer Bannon (who, in contrast to his son, was very principled).
Hud’s character, despite being despicable, was embraced by audiences. Newman himself later said, “The kids thought he was terrific. His amorality just went right over their heads; all they saw was this Western, heroic individual.”
According to TV and film historian Christine Becker,
[T]he willingness of 1960s audiences to increasingly accept and even revel in antiheroic characters signaled a hallmark societal change as counterculture sensibilities grew across the country.
Hud was nominated for seven Academy Awards and ended up winning three — two for acting, one for cinematography.
The movie was based on the novel Horseman, Pass By (1961) by Larry McMurtry.
What are your thoughts on the baby name Hud?
Sources:
- Becker, Christine. “Paul Newman: Superstardom and Anti-Stardom.” New Constellations: Movie Stars of the 1960s, edited by Pamela Robertson Wojcik, Rutgers University Press, 2012, pp. 14-33.
- Hud – Wikipedia