Hala

♀ Girl

Pronounced HAH-lah /ˈhɑ.lɑ/High

Meaning: The luminous halo around the moon; a classical Arabic girls' nameHigh

In 30 seconds: The ring of light around the moon: Hala names one of the night sky's loveliest sights. A classical Arabic favorite that travels in two easy syllables.

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Origin HighArabic

MeaningThe luminous halo around the moon; a classical Arabic girls' name

U.S. rank (2025)#2941 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births57 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2011

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,813

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Hala is a classical Arabic name for the halo of light that rings the moon — a sister in spirit to Qamar ('moon') and Badr ('full moon') in Arabic's rich lunar vocabulary. The name has deep roots: Hala bint Khuwaylid was a sister of Khadijah, the Prophet Muhammad's first wife.

Today the name thrives across the Arab world — Jordan's Queen Noor's daughter and broadcaster Hala Gorani keep it visible — and among Arab-American families. It remains rare in the wider U.S., glowing quietly.

Did you know? A lunar halo forms when moonlight refracts through ice crystals high in the atmosphere — the phenomenon poetic enough that Arabic made it a girl's name.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Hala — etymology

Variations

HalahHaala

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Hala Gorani (1970–present)
Syrian-American journalist and longtime international news anchor.

If you like Hala…

Qamar— the Arabic moon to Hala's lunar halo

Noor— the Arabic 'light' in the same celestial family

Lina— a fellow gentle two-syllable Arabic favorite

Farah— another bright, easy Arabic crossover name

Explore names like Hala

By themearabic classic celestial

By meaningLight Moon

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Hala mean?

Hala is Arabic for the halo of light around the moon.

How do you pronounce Hala?

It's said HAH-lah /ˈhɑ.lɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Hala a boy or girl name?

Hala is a girl's name.

How popular is Hala?

Hala is a rare name in the U.S. and a beloved classic across the Arab world.