Hazzel is an uncommon and unique given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old French word "hasard," which means "chance" or "luck." The name was likely brought to England during the Norman Conquest in 1066, when William the Conqueror introduced many French influences into the British culture.
The meaning of Hazzel is often interpreted as "full of luck" or "having good fortune," although there are some variations on this theme depending on the source. Some people believe that it means "hazelnut tree," while others suggest that it could be a variation of the name Hazel, which also has English origins and means "the hazel tree."
Throughout history, Hazzel has been an uncommon but not unheard-of given name. There are no well-known historical figures with this name, and it does not appear in any literature or mythology from ancient civilizations. However, there are a few notable people who have borne the name Hazzel in more recent times.
One example is Hazel McCallion, who served as the mayor of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, for an unprecedented 36 years until her retirement in 2014. Another notable figure is Hazel Adair, a British actress best known for her role in the film "The Ladykillers" alongside Alec Guinness.
In popular culture, Hazzel has made appearances as a character name in various forms of media. For instance, there was a character named Hazzel in the television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and another appeared in the video game "Final Fantasy XV."
Despite its relative obscurity, Hazzel is an intriguing and distinctive given name with a unique meaning and interesting origins. Those who bear this name are often drawn to its rarity and the positive connotations associated with luck and fortune.
The name Hazel has seen a varied trend in popularity over the past two decades in the United States. Between 2004 and 2022, there were a total of 74 babies born with this unique name.
In recent years, Hazel seems to be regaining some popularity. After a dip to just five births in 2022, it had nine births each in 2015 and 2017, and eight births in 2019. This indicates that while the name may not be extremely common, it is certainly still being chosen by parents who appreciate its distinctiveness.
Interestingly, there were two peak years for Hazel during this period: ten births in 2016 and seven births each in both 2020 and 2021. This suggests that while the name might not be universally popular, it does experience periods of popularity within specific years or groups of parents.
Overall, although Hazel may not rank among the most popular baby names in the United States, its consistent presence over two decades demonstrates that it remains a meaningful choice for some parents each year.