Origin, Meaning, And History Of Hazel
An English origin name, Hazel means ‘the hazel tree.’ The name comes from the Old English word ‘hæsel,’ which also refers to the tree or its brown color. The name also refers to the color hazel. It is a gender-neutral name but is mostly used for females. Back in the 12th century, the name was used as a surname for people who resided near the hazel tree. In olden days, wands made of hazel wood were a symbol of authority and security. Hazell, Heizle, Hazelle, and Hasel are some of its variants. In the US, the longer versions include Hazelmarie, Hazelgrace, and Hazelmae. According to the Social Security Administration, Hazel featured amongst the top 25 names in the US in the early 1990s. The name, however, slowly slipped through the ranks in the 1960s. After a sudden surge in 2014, the name was listed in the top 100 in 2015. In 2021, Hazel ranked at 28, which is 3 spots higher than its previous rank. Fiction writers are in awe of this name. Hazel Lancaster was the main character in author John Green’s popular novel, ‘Fault in Our Stars.’ In the British animated movie, released in 1978, ‘Watership Down’ the male rabbit was named Hazel. The 1952 novel, ‘Wise Blood’ by Flannery O’Connor has a protagonist named Hazel Motes. Fantasy series writer, Rick Riordan, too had a character named, Hazel Levesque, a daughter of Pluto and one of the seven heroes of the Prophecy of Seven. Hollywood too is impressed with this name. Actress Julia Roberts named one of her twin daughters, Hazel. However, celebrity couple, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt could be credited for adding to the popularity of this name as they chose it for their elder daughter in 2014, the same year this name recorded a surge in the popularity index.
How To Pronounce Hazel?
Hazel On The Popularity Chart
Hazel may be an old name but it still has a very young appeal. It has been around for a long while and has managed to stay relevant all through these years.
Popularity Over Time
Hazel took its time to capture the attention of parents. It had its first 1000 names registered in 2009. Since then, it has been on a rise until its peak in 2021, when it had 5967 names registered in the US. Check out the graph below to see its rise over the years.
Rank Over Time
From a 1079 rank in 1980 to its first breakthrough in top 100 named in 2015, Hazel has persevered a long while. But the name has been on a rise. Have a look at the graph below to understand its trajectory over the years.
Names With Similar Sound As Hazel
Hazel has a vibrant ring to it. Its connection to a tree makes it even more pleasant. Here are some more names that have a similar sound.
