Hazel
Hazel is a girls' name of English origin meaning “hazel tree, light brown.” It ranked #23 in the United States in 2025. Hazel refers to the hazel tree and the warm brown-green eye color.
how do you pronounce Hazel?
HAY-zel
Hear it spoken aloud with our AI pronunciation tool.
what does Hazel mean?
The name Hazel means “hazel tree, light brown.” It comes from the English language tradition.
Hazel refers to the hazel tree and the warm brown-green eye color. Celtic mythology considered the hazel a tree of wisdom. 'The Fault in Our Stars' character Hazel Grace Lancaster revitalized it for a new generation.
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.
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.
how popular is this name?
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024 | #23 |
| 2023 | #25 |
| 2022 | #26 |
| 2021 | #27 |
| 2020 | #28 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
what are the nicknames and variants of Hazel?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
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 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.
Last reviewed April 30, 2026 · Curated by HushName editorial
love Hazel? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
start free consultation