Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Hala
GirlArabic· “halo around the moon”
- Meaning
- halo around the moon
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- HAH-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,941
- US babies 2025
- 57
- Best rank
- #1,208 (1887)
- Peak year
- 2011
Meaning and origin of Hala
Hala is an Arabic name that means “halo around the moon”.
Hala is an Arabic name for the halo of light that sometimes rings the moon, a sight celebrated in Arabic poetry. It also echoes the greeting ahlan, "welcome," which some families hear in it. The name is used across the Arab world and in Muslim families elsewhere, and it is said HAH-luh. In Hawaiian, hala is the pandanus tree, and in Polish Hala is a pet form of Halina, so the sound travels widely. Its two plain syllables make it easy to spell and pronounce in almost any language.
Popularity over time
Hala first appears in US Social Security records in 1887. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,208 in 1887, and the most babies received it in 2011, when 70 were named Hala. In 2025, 57 babies were named Hala, and it ranked #2,941 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #5,646 in 1980, #3,354 in 2000, #2,764 in 2010, and #2,941 in 2025. Of the 1,813 US girls named Hala since records began, 33% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 452 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Adrina, Lyriq, Audri, Alizay, and Jailah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Hala ranked highest in Michigan, New York, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | #1002 | 7 |
| New York | #1713 | 7 |
| Texas | #2739 | 7 |
| California | #3267 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Hala is usually pronounced HAH-luh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with H and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Hala
A few middle names that flow with Hala: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Hala
Similar names
Nahla Girl
NAH-luh
“a drink of water” · Arabic
#2,850
Naila Girl
NY-luh
“one who attains” · Arabic
#1,728
Layla Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#36
Stella Girl
STEL-uh
“star” · Latin
#52
Lyla Girl
LY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#80
Laila Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#413
Lila Girl
LY-luh
“play (Sanskrit); night (Arabic)” · Sanskrit
#187
Leila Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#259
Nyla Girl
NY-luh
“uncertain; possibly one who succeeds” · American (modern coinage)
#236
Sidra Girl
SID-ruh
“of the stars” · Latin
#1,366
Paola Girl
pah-OH-luh
“small” · Italian
#1,260
Shayla Girl
SHAY-luh
“modern name; uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#1,793
Lists that include Hala
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hala mean?
Hala is an Arabic name that means “halo around the moon”.
What is the origin of the name Hala?
Hala has Arabic roots. Hala is an Arabic name for the halo of light that sometimes rings the moon, a sight celebrated in Arabic poetry.
Is Hala a popular name?
Not especially. Hala ranked #2,941 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Hala a boy or girl name?
Hala is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Hala?
Hala is usually pronounced HAH-luh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings