Hale

♂ Boy

Pronounced HAYL /ˈheɪl/High

Meaning: From an English surname/word — variously 'from the hall', 'a dweller in the nook/hollow' (Old English halh), and 'hale; hearty; healthy'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: From the hall; the nook; hearty and healthy: Hale is an English surname/word. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'HAYL').

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningFrom an English surname/word — variously 'from the hall', 'a dweller in the nook/hollow' (Old English halh), and 'hale; hearty; healthy'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2024)#6961 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births12 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1917

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,269

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

Hale comes from an English surname and word — variously 'from the hall', 'a dweller in the nook/hollow' (Old English halh), and 'hale; hearty; healthy' (routes layered, which we note). Borne by the patriot Nathan Hale. A crisp, classic name (said 'HAYL').

In the U.S. it appears thinly as a first name. Rare, from-the-hall-and-hearty at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Hale is variously 'from the hall', 'a dweller in the nook/hollow' (Old English halh), and 'hale; hearty; healthy' — a crisp, classic surname/word-name (patriot Nathan Hale bore it; the routes are layered, which we note; said 'HAYL').

Overall data confidence 42%

References — Hale — surname/word; routes layered

Variations

HaelHayle

Nicknames

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Explore names like Hale

By themeuncertain english word-name surname-name

By meaningHealing

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Hale mean?

Hale is an English surname/word, variously 'from the hall', 'a dweller in the nook', and 'hearty; healthy'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Hale?

It's said HAYL /ˈheɪl/ — one syllable.

Is Hale a boy or girl name?

Hale is most often a boy's name.

How popular is Hale?

Hale is a rare name in the U.S.