"hazel tree"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Hazel
Pronunciation: [ h-AYZ-uhl ]
Does Hazel flow with your last name?
Ancient woodland magic with modern charm
English
American
Irish
Vintage
Earthy
Whimsical
Gentle
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Meaning & Origin
"wisdom, inspiration"
Origin: Celtic
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Hazel
See all →What the Hazel report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Hazel the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Hazel
Hazel comes directly from the Old English word for the hazel tree or shrub. The hazel was considered a magical tree in Celtic and Norse traditions — its flexible branches were used for divining rods, and the nuts were associated with wisdom and inspiration. As a given name, Hazel was adopted in the Victorian era along with other nature and plant names.
Hazel was popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s, then faded. Its revival began in the mid-2000s and accelerated dramatically after Julia Roberts named her daughter Hazel in 2004 and John Green published The Fault in Our Stars featuring protagonist Hazel Grace Lancaster in 2012. It entered the top 30 in the US by 2020.
In Celtic mythology, the hazel tree was associated with wisdom, poetry, and the Otherworld. The salmon of wisdom ate hazelnuts that fell into the pool of wisdom, a central myth in Irish folklore. Hazel wands were traditionally used for divining water. The name carries a gentle, earthy magic.
Historical Record
Hazel first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 87,322 babies have been named Hazel in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Hazel is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #19 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In Irish mythology, the hazel tree is one of the five sacred trees of Ireland
- John Green's The Fault in Our Stars (2012) significantly boosted the name's popularity
- Julia Roberts' daughter Hazel is credited with helping spark the name's modern revival
Hazel in Other Languages
Irish
Coll
French
Noisette
German
Hasel
Spanish
Avellano
Popularity Over Time
#19
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Hazel
H
Hazel Blears
Politician
1956
British Labour Party politician who served as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
H
Hazel Brooks
Actor
1924
American actress who appeared in films during the 1940s Hollywood era
H
Hazel Scott
Musician
1920
Trinidadian-American jazz and classical pianist, singer, and actress, the first African American to host her own TV show
H
Hazel Grace Lancaster Fictional
Other
Teenage cancer patient and protagonist of John Green's bestselling novel The Fault in Our Stars (2012)
H
Hazel Levesque Fictional
Other
Demigod daughter of Pluto and member of the Seven in Rick Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #19
- Total SSA Count
- 6,401
- Cultural Origins
- English American Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Haze
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Hazel
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Hazel fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Hazel is also used as a boy name, ranked #2841.
View Hazel as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Hazel →Compare Hazel with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Hazel
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Hazel and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Hazel sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Daisy
Girl
Victorian floral naming origin
"flower name"
#76 in US
Ana
Girl
Hebrew origin
"grace, favor"
#204 in US
Ivy
Girl
English symbolic meaning from the evergreen plant origin
"fidelity, eternity, resilience"
#36 in US
Tatum
Girl
Old English (from Tate + ham) origin
"cheerful settlement"
#205 in US
Gabriella
Girl
Hebrew origin
"strong man of God"
#106 in US
Elizabeth
Girl
Hebrew origin
"consecrated to God"
#17 in US
Aurora
Girl
Latin origin
"golden light"
#16 in US
River
Girl
English/Anglo-French origin
"flowing body of water"
#214 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Hazel's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hazel
What does the name Hazel mean?
"hazel tree" (from Old English). "wisdom, inspiration" (from Celtic). Hazel comes directly from the Old English word for the hazel tree or shrub. The hazel was considered a magical tree in Celtic and Norse traditions — its flexible branches were used for divining rods, and the nuts were associated with wisdom and inspiration. As a given name, Hazel was adopted in the Victorian era along with other nature and plant names.
What is the origin of the name Hazel?
Hazel has Old English, Celtic, English, American, and Irish origins. In Old English, it means "hazel tree". In Celtic, it means "wisdom, inspiration".
Is Hazel a boy or girl name?
Hazel is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #19. As a boy name, it is ranked #2841. Hazel is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Hazel?
Hazel is pronounced h-AYZ-uhl.
How popular is the name Hazel?
Hazel is currently ranked #19 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Hazel?
Common nicknames for Hazel include Haze.
What are good middle names for Hazel?
Popular middle name pairings include Hazel Grace, Hazel Mae, Hazel Rose, Hazel Claire, Hazel Jean, Hazel Faye, and Hazel Wren.
What are good sibling names for Hazel?
Names that pair well with Hazel as siblings include Violet, Jasper, Iris, Arlo, Pearl, Finn, and Olive.
How many syllables does Hazel have?
Hazel has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Hazel a common or rare name?
Hazel is a very popular name, ranked #19 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Hazel?
About the Name Hazel
Hazel is a girl name with English, American, and Irish origins . The name means "hazel tree" in Old English .
Is Hazel a boy or girl name? Hazel is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #19 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2,841. Hazel is more commonly used as a girl name.
Hazel is currently ranked #19 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Hazel has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-AYZ-uhl, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Hazel include Haze. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Hazel include Hazelynn, Hazely, Hazelyn, Hazelee, Hazeleigh . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
H
Names Starting with H
More girl names like Hazel
Classic Names
Well-known names that stand the test of time
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis