Hazel

Hazel is a common female first name in the English-speaking world, which translates into German as 'hazelnut,' 'the hazel bush,' or 'the hazel brown.' The origins of the name can be traced back to the Old English term hæsel, which means 'hazelnut.'

What does the name Hazel mean?

The name Hazel is widely used in the English-speaking world and translates into German as 'hazelnut,' 'the hazel bush,' or 'the hazel brown.' The name has its roots in the Old English word hæsel for 'hazelnut.' In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name gained popularity in English-speaking countries, alongside other plant- or tree-related names for girls. Additionally, 'Hazel' is also used to describe the eye color 'hazel brown.' Hazels belong to a genus of deciduous trees and large shrubs that are common in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. It is worth noting that Hazel also appears as a surname. An alternative spelling is Hazelle. In Germany, the name became known through the books and films 'The Hunger Games.'

Where does the name Hazel come from?

The etymology of Hazel lies in Old English and means 'the hazel bush.' The Old English word hæsel stands for hazelnut, while the Germanic word khasalaz has both the meanings 'hazelnut' and 'light brown color.' The language from which the name originates is American English.

How do you pronounce Hazel?

Hazel is generally pronounced in German with the English pronunciation 'Hey-zel' [ˈheɪ̯zəl]. The name is two syllables and has a compact structure. The diphthong creates a lively sound movement, while the voiced 'z' adds a subtle tension in the middle. The final syllable sounds soft and unobtrusive, giving Hazel a modern and friendly character.

Popularity

In Germany, the name Hazel is quite popular and currently ranks 490th on the list of the most common female first names. Its best ranking was in 2023 at 455th place. Over the last ten years, Hazel has been given as a first name about 550 times, placing it at 798th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 943rd.

Nicknames & pet names

Hase / Hasi / Haz / Hazi / Hazza / Hazzie / Zel

Famous people

• Hazel (animal character) (A main rabbit from the novel/TV series Watership Down)
• Hazel Alden Reason (British chemist)
• Hazel Ascot (English actress)
• Hazel Brugger (cabaret artist, slam poet)
• Hazel Buck (American cricketer)
• Hazel Clark (American athlete)
• Hazel Court (English actress)
• Hazel Dodge (historian)
• Hazel Douglas (British actress)
• Hazel Franke (German actress)
• Hazel Grace Lancaster (main character in the novel 'The Fault in Our Stars')
• Hazel Hogarth (English badminton player)
• Hazel Holt (British writer)
• Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman (1886-1974), American tennis player
• Hazel Hutchins (Canadian writer)
• Hazel Joan Bryant (American actress)
• Hazel Kaneswaran (Irish musician)
• Hazel Keech (English actress)
• Hazel Keener (American actress)
• Hazel Lavery (American artist)