I worked with a guy from somewhere in Georgia once who thought anyone who used the term "hush puppie" was a Yankee. They called them "corn dodgers" where he was from. He, his wife and all 4 kids lived in a trailer (single wide); the Missus made the best corn dodgers I ever et (in the deep fryer), so I figger he knowed whut he were talkin' 'bout.
They used the term, "corn dodgers", in the movie, "True Grit", and I've seen that in a lot of Western novels.
I think that term was more Western and, "hush puppies", are more Southern.