"hazel tree"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Hazel
Pronunciation: [ h-AYZ-uhl ]
Girl Name
#19 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
Ancient woodland magic with modern charm
English
American
Irish
Vintage
Earthy
Whimsical
Gentle
Literary
Meaning & Origin
"wisdom, inspiration"
Origin: Celtic
Language: English
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.
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
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
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
Common Nicknames
Haze
Pairs Well With
Hazel Grace
Hazel Mae
Hazel Rose
Hazel Claire
Hazel Jean
Hazel Faye
Hazel Wren
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Hazel is also used as a boy name, ranked #2841.
View Hazel as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.