Hazel
/HAY-zəl/
Hazel is a girl name of English origin, meaning The hazel tree.
- GenderGirl
- OriginEnglish
- StyleOriginal
- Syllables2
- US rank#30
What does Hazel mean?
The hazel tree
From the Old English haesel, the hazel tree. The eye colour is named after the nut, not the other way round.
The story behind the name
Hazel wood was traditionally used for divining rods and for protection against witchcraft, and in Irish and Welsh tradition the hazel is a tree of wisdom - the Salmon of Knowledge in the Fionn story gets its wisdom from eating hazelnuts.
As a name it is another of the Victorian botanicals, popular around 1900 and then absent for most of the twentieth century.
Its revival began around 2010 and has been rapid: Hazel re-entered the American top thirty in the 2020s.
Notable people named Hazel
- Hazel Scott, pianist and singer
- Hazel Blears, politician
How popular is Hazel?
Popularity in the United States
Hazel has been given to 274,058 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 1920s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.
About 1 in 301 babies born in the United States were given this name in the most recent year on record.
Popularity in France
Hazel has been given to 470 babies in France since 1981, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.
Variants and related names
Other spellings: Hazell, Haizel
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Start swiping - it's freeFrequently asked questions about Hazel
What does the name Hazel mean?
Hazel means The hazel tree. It is of English origin.
Is Hazel a boy's or a girl's name?
Hazel is most often given to girls.
How do you pronounce Hazel?
Hazel is pronounced HAY-zəl.
How popular is the name Hazel?
Hazel has been given to 274,058 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 1920s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.
What are other spellings of Hazel?
Common variants include Hazell, Haizel.