Hal Boy
Origin(s)
Pronunciationhal / /hæl/English; German
Meaning
English: from the Old English 'hal', meaning 'healthy'; German: short form of names beginning with 'Hald-', meaning 'ruler'
Historical & Cultural Background
Hal is often used as a diminutive of names like Harold or Henry. It gained popularity in English-speaking countries, particularly in the 20th century. The name is associated with various historical figures and characters in literature. It has a straightforward, strong sound that appeals to many parents.
Trend Summary
Hal has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable decline since the mid-20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Halley
- Hale
International Variants
- Halil (Turkish)
- Halim (Arabic)
Famous people named Hal
Hal Ashby was an American film director known for his work on films like 'Harold and Maude'.
Hal Jordan is a fictional character and one of the Green Lanterns in DC Comics.
Hal Steinbrenner is an American businessman and principal owner of the New York Yankees.
Hal David was an American lyricist known for his collaborations with Burt Bacharach.
Fictional characters named Hal
Hal from '2001: A Space Odyssey' is an artificial intelligence that controls the Discovery One spacecraft.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Hal was first seen in the United States in 1880. Hal has ranked as high as #613 nationally, which occurred in 1956, and has been most popular in North Carolina, California, New York, Illinois, and Tennessee. In the past 5 years the name Hal has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Hal (2023)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 7 |
| 1881 | 12 |
| 1882 | 26 |
| 1883 | 20 |
| 1884 | 25 |
| 1885 | 15 |
| 1886 | 18 |
| 1887 | 23 |
| 1888 | 20 |
| 1889 | 12 |
| 1890 | 21 |
| 1891 | 17 |
| 1892 | 17 |
| 1893 | 26 |
| 1894 | 23 |
| 1895 | 20 |
| 1896 | 19 |
| 1897 | 20 |
| 1898 | 28 |
| 1899 | 20 |
| 1900 | 25 |
| 1901 | 19 |
| 1902 | 25 |
| 1903 | 23 |
| 1904 | 21 |
| 1905 | 20 |
| 1906 | 23 |
| 1907 | 30 |
| 1908 | 19 |
| 1909 | 24 |
| 1910 | 31 |
| 1911 | 43 |
| 1912 | 60 |
| 1913 | 81 |
| 1914 | 115 |
| 1915 | 152 |
| 1916 | 133 |
| 1917 | 125 |
| 1918 | 172 |
| 1919 | 161 |
| 1920 | 193 |
| 1921 | 177 |
| 1922 | 171 |
| 1923 | 159 |
| 1924 | 182 |
| 1925 | 191 |
| 1926 | 184 |
| 1927 | 190 |
| 1928 | 193 |
| 1929 | 194 |
| 1930 | 153 |
| 1931 | 166 |
| 1932 | 194 |
| 1933 | 188 |
| 1934 | 205 |
| 1935 | 201 |
| 1936 | 148 |
| 1937 | 191 |
| 1938 | 162 |
| 1939 | 202 |
| 1940 | 196 |
| 1941 | 194 |
| 1942 | 204 |
| 1943 | 208 |
| 1944 | 213 |
| 1945 | 211 |
| 1946 | 264 |
| 1947 | 361 |
| 1948 | 358 |
| 1949 | 406 |
| 1950 | 370 |
| 1951 | 387 |
| 1952 | 392 |
| 1953 | 405 |
| 1954 | 416 |
| 1955 | 455 |
| 1956 | 598 |
| 1957 | 526 |
| 1958 | 455 |
| 1959 | 418 |
| 1960 | 403 |
| 1961 | 342 |
| 1962 | 228 |
| 1963 | 278 |
| 1964 | 199 |
| 1965 | 199 |
| 1966 | 169 |
| 1967 | 151 |
| 1968 | 125 |
| 1969 | 105 |
| 1970 | 125 |
| 1971 | 124 |
| 1972 | 115 |
| 1973 | 97 |
| 1974 | 85 |
| 1975 | 79 |
| 1976 | 68 |
| 1977 | 59 |
| 1978 | 64 |
| 1979 | 73 |
| 1980 | 74 |
| 1981 | 56 |
| 1982 | 53 |
| 1983 | 52 |
| 1984 | 41 |
| 1985 | 59 |
| 1986 | 65 |
| 1987 | 33 |
| 1988 | 55 |
| 1989 | 43 |
| 1990 | 31 |
| 1991 | 38 |
| 1992 | 32 |
| 1993 | 36 |
| 1994 | 22 |
| 1995 | 20 |
| 1996 | 23 |
| 1997 | 26 |
| 1998 | 21 |
| 1999 | 14 |
| 2000 | 23 |
| 2001 | 18 |
| 2002 | 22 |
| 2003 | 26 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 15 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 15 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 22 |
| 2015 | 20 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 30 |
| 2019 | 21 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 30 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2023 | 41 |
| 2024 | 33 |