Hazel sits comfortably in the UK charts at #75 in 2024 — recognisable but not overwhelming. Your child may occasionally share their name.
Origin & Meaning
Old English — The hazel tree; wisdom
📊
UK Rank 2024
#75
US Rank #19
About the Name Hazel
Hazel is currently at its most popular point on record, sitting at UK #75. The name has climbed 78 places in the last five years — a significant surge by any measure. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It briefly reached the UK top 100, though it typically sits a little further down the charts.
The name carries Old English roots, where it means "The hazel tree; wisdom". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Hazel is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #19, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Hazel
Unlikely. With around 629 UK babies named Hazel per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Hazel in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Hazel is currently rising in popularity in the UK, up 78 places over the last five years to #75 in 2024. If this trend continues, it will become more common in classrooms over the next decade.
The name Hazel has Old English origins and means "The hazel tree; wisdom". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named Hazel include: Hazel Massery — Hazel Bryan Massery is an American woman who is known for having protested against integration.; Hazel Mae — Hazel Mae Barker, known professionally as Hazel Mae, is a Filipino-Canadian sportscaster..
Yes — Hazel is very popular in the United States, ranked #19 in 2024. It's a transatlantic favourite used widely on both sides of the Atlantic.
629
UK babies named Hazel (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.3
In a school of 600
↑ 78 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Hazel
Likely around 1 other Hazel in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Hazel
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Hazel Bryan Massery is an American woman who is known for having protested against integration. She was depicted in an iconic photograph taken by photojournalist Will Counts in 1957 showing her shouting at Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine, during the Little Rock Crisis.
Hazel Lavery, Lady Lavery was an American painter and the second wife of portrait artist Sir John Lavery. Famed for her beauty, Lavery's likeness appeared on banknotes of Ireland for much of the 20th century.
Hazel Mae Barker, known professionally as Hazel Mae, is a Filipino-Canadian sportscaster. She was the former lead anchor for the New England Sports Network's SportsDesk news program and most recently the anchor on MLB Network.
Hazel Watrous was an American writer who was co-founder of Denny-Watrous Management. The company presented performances in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.