Hazel
Hazel is a girls' name of English origin meaning “hazel tree, light brown.” It ranked #21 in the United States in 2025. Hazel refers to the hazel tree and the warm brown-green eye color.
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how do you pronounce Hazel?
HAY-zel
where does the name Hazel come from?
From the Old English hæsel, the hazel tree. The name also carries the eye colour, which took its name from the tree's nut rather than the other way round — a small chain of association that gives the name two distinct images.
Celtic mythology considered the hazel a tree of wisdom. 'The Fault in Our Stars' character Hazel Grace Lancaster revitalized it for a new generation.
how popular is this name?
Hazel has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 124 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 22. It peaked at #18 in 1897, and ranked #21 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #21 |
| 2024 | #19 |
| 2023 | #18 |
| 2022 | #27 |
| 2021 | #28 |
| 2020 | #31 |
| 2019 | #33 |
| 2018 | #42 |
| 2017 | #43 |
| 2016 | #52 |
| 2010 | #264 |
| 2000 | #893 |
| 1970 | #675 |
| 1960 | #397 |
| 1950 | #219 |
| 1940 | #123 |
| 1930 | #71 |
| 1920 | #34 |
| 1910 | #24 |
| 1900 | #29 |
| 1897 | #18 |
| 1890 | #37 |
| 1880 | #352 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Hazel fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Hazel
Hazel wood was the traditional material for divining rods and for protective charms in English and Celtic folklore, and in Irish tradition the hazel is the tree of wisdom, its nuts falling into the well of knowledge. The name belongs to the Victorian wave of botanical names, faded mid-century, and returned steadily through the 2010s, reaching the American top twenty in the 2020s.
who are famous people named Hazel?
- Hazel Grace Lancaster (The Fault in Our Stars character)
- Julia Roberts (named daughter Hazel)
- Hazel Scott (jazz pianist)
what are the nicknames and variants of Hazel?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Hazel?
what names go well with Hazel?
Sibling names that share Hazel's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Hazel
What does the name Hazel mean?
Hazel means “hazel tree, light brown”.
What is the origin of the name Hazel?
Hazel comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Hazell and Hazelle.
How popular is the name Hazel?
Hazel ranked #21 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1897, at #18, and it has spent 124 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Hazel a boy or girl name?
Hazel is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Hazel?
Hazel is pronounced HAY-zel, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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