Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Hazel
GirlEnglish, Old English· “hazel tree”
- Meaning
- hazel tree
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- HAY-zuhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #21
- US babies 2025
- 6,318
- Best rank
- #18 (1897)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Hazel
Hazel is an English and Old English name that means “hazel tree”.
Hazel comes from the name of the hazel tree, from the Old English haesel. In Celtic tradition the hazel was associated with wisdom, and hazelnuts appear in Irish tales about knowledge. The word also names a light brown or greenish eye color. Hazel became a given name in the nineteenth century and was widely used in the early twentieth, then faded before returning as a vintage favorite. It feels gentle, earthy and warm. Haze and Hazy are playful nicknames, though most families use the full name.
Other spellings with the same sound: Hazle.
Popularity over time
Hazel has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 124 different years. Its best national rank was #18 in 1897, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 7,615 were named Hazel. In 2025, 6,318 babies were named Hazel, and it ranked #21 nationally. That is 47% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #34 in 1920, #219 in 1950, #1,070 in 1980, #893 in 2000, #264 in 2010, and #21 in 2025. Of the 302,580 US girls named Hazel since records began, 19% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 57,068 babies. Since 2010, 70,557 more have been named Hazel.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Edith, Pauline, Ethel, Esther, and Josephine.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Hazel ranked highest in Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho | #6 | 82 |
| Wyoming | #6 | 15 |
| Utah | #7 | 148 |
| Oregon | #8 | 110 |
| North Dakota | #8 | 29 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Hazel is usually pronounced HAY-zuhl, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with H and ends in “-el”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Hazle.
Middle names for Hazel
A few middle names that flow with Hazel: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Hazel
Similar names
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Lists that include Hazel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hazel mean?
Hazel is an English and Old English name that means “hazel tree”.
What is the origin of the name Hazel?
Hazel has English and Old English roots. Hazel comes from the name of the hazel tree, from the Old English haesel.
Is Hazel a popular name?
Yes. Hazel ranked #21 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Hazel a boy or girl name?
Hazel is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Hazel?
Hazel is usually pronounced HAY-zuhl. 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