Hale is an English surname and given name of Old Norse origin. The name derives from the Old Norse word "hálr" which means "sea". It was originally a nickname or byname for someone who lived near the sea, had a maritime occupation, or was otherwise associated with the sea.
The use of Hale as a given name is relatively recent compared to its use as a surname. It began to be used more frequently in the United States in the mid-20th century and has since gained popularity worldwide. Some famous individuals named Hale include American actors Alec Baldwin and Edward Norton, both of whom are named after their fathers who had the surname Hale.
In literature, Hale is also the surname of several characters in works by English author Charles Dickens, including The Pickwick Papers and Nicholas Nickleby. In these works, the Hales are often portrayed as wealthy, respectable families, which may have contributed to the name's popularity as a given name in later years.
Overall, Hale is a strong and distinctive name with a rich history dating back to medieval England. Its meaning, "sea", adds to its allure and makes it a fitting choice for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Hale has been given to a total of 1,255 babies born in the United States over a span of nearly 130 years, from 1892 to 2023. This data shows that while Hale may not have been a consistently popular name during this period, it did experience periods of increased usage.
The highest number of births with the name Hale occurred in 1917 and 1926, both years seeing 30 births each. The name also saw notable popularity in the early 1920s, with 24 births in 1922 and 22 births in 1927.
However, there were periods where Hale was not commonly chosen as a baby's name. For instance, between 1936 and 1950, the number of births with the name Hale did not exceed double digits in any given year. The lowest point came in 1986, when only six babies were named Hale.
Despite these fluctuations, Hale has maintained a consistent presence among baby names in the United States throughout the past century and into the present day. In recent years, the name has seen renewed popularity, with 23 births in 2019 and 16 births each in both 2021 and 2022.
Overall, while Hale may not be one of the most popular names in America, it is clear that many families have chosen this name for their children over the years, contributing to a total of nearly 1,300 babies named Hale since the late 19th century.