Iris
Flower name; Greek
“rainbow”
Mostly girls · English
“the hazelnut tree”
Say it HAY-zulPronunciation may vary by region.
A little maybe, saved for later.
The story behind the name
Hazel comes from the English name for the hazelnut tree, ultimately from Old English hæsel. Its botanical meaning is direct, while associations with protection and authority belong to the tree's wider history and symbolism.
Hazel brings a nature connection without a floral ending. The Z sound gives the two-syllable name a distinctive center, and it can work as a complete first name without needing a shortened form.
A little perspective
Recorded US births over time
| Year | Category | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 4,306 | 24 |
| 2025 | Girls | 21 | 6,318 |
| 2024 | Boys | 2,845 | 45 |
| 2024 | Girls | 19 | 6,432 |
| 2023 | Boys | 4,386 | 24 |
| 2023 | Girls | 18 | 6,193 |
| 2022 | Boys | 3,929 | 28 |
| 2022 | Girls | 27 | 6,161 |
| 2021 | Boys | 3,605 | 31 |
| 2021 | Girls | 28 | 6,015 |
| 2020 | Boys | 4,921 | 19 |
| 2020 | Girls | 31 | 5,519 |
| 2019 | Boys | 11,275 | 6 |
| 2019 | Girls | 33 | 5,464 |
| 2018 | Boys | 5,627 | 16 |
| 2018 | Girls | 42 | 4,951 |
| 2017 | Boys | 5,898 | 15 |
| 2017 | Girls | 43 | 5,047 |
| 2016 | Boys | 5,399 | 17 |
| 2016 | Girls | 52 | 4,682 |
| 2015 | Boys | 6,824 | 12 |
| 2015 | Girls | 63 | 4,302 |
| 2014 | Boys | 9,084 | 8 |
| 2014 | Girls | 105 | 2,909 |
Rankings are calculated separately for boys and girls. Records below the publication threshold may be missing; gaps are not zero births.
No nicknames are listed yet. The name can stand beautifully on its own.
Keep the possibilities coming
More names with a similar feeling or shared roots.
Flower name; Greek
“rainbow”
English botanical name
“ivy plant”
Greek
“Traditionally weaver; derivation uncertain”
Latin
“star”
English from Latin
“purple”
English nature name
“willow tree”