Find out how popular the first name Hale has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Hale by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Hale is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 97% of people named Hale being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 13 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Hale.

The history of the first name Hale

The name Hale has its roots in the Old English language, dating back to the 5th to 11th centuries. It is derived from the word "halu," which means "wholesome" or "healthy." The name was initially used to describe a person's physical or mental well-being.

During the Anglo-Saxon period, the name Hale was primarily used as a descriptive name or a nickname. It was given to individuals who appeared to be in good health or had a strong, robust physique. As the use of surnames became more common, some families adopted Hale as their surname, indicating their strong and healthy lineage.

In medieval times, the name Hale was occasionally found in historical records and literature. One notable example is Hale the Huntsman, a character mentioned in the late 14th-century poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." This work is part of the Arthurian legend and depicts Hale as a skilled hunter in the service of King Arthur.

The earliest recorded use of Hale as a given name dates back to the late 16th century. One of the first documented individuals with this name was Hale Worthington, an English nobleman born in 1590. Worthington was known for his involvement in the English Civil War and his support for the Parliamentarian cause.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Hale. Here are five examples:

1. Hale Woodruff (1900-1980), an American artist and educator known for his contributions to the Harlem Renaissance.
2. Hale Boggs (1914-1972), an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Representative and House Majority Leader.
3. Hale Smith (1925-2009), an American actor best known for his role as Reverend Isiah Thurman on the television series "The Waltons."
4. Hale Irwin (born 1945), a professional golfer from the United States who has won multiple major championships, including three U.S. Opens.
5. Hale Appleman (born 1986), an American actor and singer known for his roles in television series like "The Magicians" and "Dickinson."

While the name Hale was initially used to describe physical attributes, it has evolved over time to become a given name with a rich history and cultural significance, particularly in English-speaking countries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Hale was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Hale, please contact us.

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