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Home › Baby Names Directory › Hal

Hal

♂ Boy

Pronounced HAL /ˈhæl/High

Meaning: Medieval pet form of Henry ('home ruler') or Harold ('army ruler'); a crisp one-syllable nameMedium

In 30 seconds: Shakespeare's prince in one syllable: Hal is the old pet form of Henry — and the nickname of the future Henry V in the history plays. Vintage, friendly, and quietly regal.
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Origin MediumGermanic, English
MeaningMedieval pet form of Henry ('home ruler') or Harold ('army ruler'); a crisp one-syllable name
U.S. rank (2025)#3151 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births38 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1956
Total births (all-time)≈ 16,784

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195618802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Hal is a medieval English pet form of Henry — Germanic Heimirich, 'home ruler' — and sometimes Harold ('army ruler'). Shakespeare's Prince Hal cemented its charm; the actor Hal Holbrook and others kept it alive.

It registers thinly today, reading as vintage and warm. Ruler at the root, snappy, and ripe for revival.

Did you know? In Shakespeare's 'Henry IV', the young Prince Henry is affectionately called Prince Hal — making the nickname a literary byword for a wild youth who grows into a great king.
Overall data confidence 82%
Behind the Name — Hal — pet form background

Variations

HalbertHenryHarold

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • ★Hal Holbrook (1925-2021)
    American actor known for portraying Mark Twain
  • ★Hal Roach (1892-1992)
    American film and television producer of comedy
  • ★Hal David (1921-2012)
    American lyricist who collaborated with Burt Bacharach
  • ★Hal Ashby (1929-1988)
    American film director and editor

If you like Hal…

Henry— the formal name behind it
Harold— the alternate source name
Cal— a fellow short vintage name
Hutch— a fellow Germanic choice
Axl— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Hal

By themevintagegermanicnickname-nameliterary
By meaningWarriorRoyal / Noble

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Hal mean?

Hal is a pet form of Henry ('home ruler') or Harold ('army ruler').

How do you pronounce Hal?

It's said HAL /ˈhæl/ — a single syllable.

Is Hal a boy or girl name?

Hal is a boy's name.

How popular is Hal?

Hal is a rare vintage name in the U.S.

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