Halo first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Halo has been for the last 25 years (from 2000 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Halo

A Spanish name meaning "the breath of heaven".

Popularity of Halo by gender

Based on the last 25 years of data, Halo is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 84% of people named Halo being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 598 female babies and 226 male babies born with the name Halo.

YearMale CountFemale Count
2024226598
2023121520
202267369
202145385
202029274
201930273
201827219
201725152
201625181
201516132
201422133
201320105
201215138
201112125
201023152
200918119
20082455
2007021
2006017
2005014
2004012
2003010
200206
200007

The history of the first name Halo

The name Halo is derived from the Greek word 'halos', which means 'circle' or 'halo'. It originated in ancient Greek culture, where it referred to the circular rings or halos depicted around the heads of saints and other holy figures in religious artwork. The name's origins can be traced back to the early centuries of the Christian era.

In ancient Greek mythology, the term 'halos' was also used to describe the circular path of the sun across the sky. This celestial connection may have contributed to the name's association with divine or heavenly connotations. The name Halo was likely adopted as a given name in the early days of Christianity, when Greek culture and language held significant influence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Halo is found in the 4th century, where it was borne by Saint Halo, a Breton monk and bishop who lived in the region of Brittany, France. His life and work contributed to the spread of Christianity in the area, and he is venerated as the patron saint of several towns and villages in Brittany.

In the 6th century, another notable figure named Halo lived – Halo of Auxerre, a Benedictine monk and scholar from Auxerre, France. He is recognized for his contributions to the study of rhetoric and grammar during the Carolingian Renaissance.

Moving forward in history, Halo de Nantes was a 9th-century Breton ruler and Count of Nantes. He played a significant role in the defense of Brittany against the Vikings and is remembered for his military exploits in protecting the region.

During the Renaissance period, Halo Navis was a 16th-century Italian painter and architect from Sardinia. He is known for his work on the Basilica of San Gavino in Porto Torres, where he designed the church's facade.

In more recent times, Halo Jones was the name of a fictional character created by writer Alan Moore and artist Ian Gibson for the comic book series "The Ballad of Halo Jones", published in the 1980s. The series followed the adventures of Halo Jones, a young woman living in a futuristic society, and gained critical acclaim for its storytelling and social commentary.

While the name Halo may not be as common as some other names, it has a rich history rooted in ancient Greek culture and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life throughout the centuries, from saints and scholars to rulers and creative artists.

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 Halo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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