How Many People Are Named Hal?

Complete statistics for the name Hal: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Hal
Very Rare
Old English

Hal, a very rare male name, is held by just 1 in 38,952 Americans today, making it quite unique. With around 8,472 people named Hal living in the US, this name stands out as a classic, old-school choice. Interestingly, the majority of Hal's, 84%, are over 60 years old.

~550
Living in US
1 in 602,635
Americans
1956
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
Short form of Harold
🌐
Origin
Old English
🌟
Lucky Day
Friday
💎
Lucky Stone
Amethyst
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 3
Personality Traits
Strong Dependable Traditional
3
Life Path Number

Life-path number 3 symbolizes creativity, self-expression, and joy.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

8,472
Worldwide Bearers
#17,043
Global Rank
🇦🇫 Afghanistan
198
🇵🇰 Pakistan
198
🇮🇩 Indonesia
197
🇯🇵 Japan
97
🇵🇭 Philippines
67
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
66
🇳🇬 Nigeria
62
🇲🇾 Malaysia
59
🇬🇷 Greece
44
🇨🇳 China
43

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
8,472 (100%)
♀ Female
0 (0%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 78
553
Would be under 30 (3%)
2,172
Would be 30–60 (13%)
14,033
Would be over 60 (84%)

All 16,758 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 1956

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Rising

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
98
Classic Feel
76
Modern Appeal
24
International
5

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Hal Through the Generations

Hal has been a name that's seen its peaks and valleys through the decades. Reaching its highest popularity in 1956 with 598 births, it's now experiencing a resurgence, albeit modestly. The current generation of Hals is predominantly older, with 14,033 individuals over 60, compared to only 553 under 30. This stark contrast reflects the name's enduring appeal among older generations, while younger parents might be rediscovering it.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

Texas 1,202
North Carolina 1,131
California 1,046
New York 957
Illinois 616
Tennessee 594
Georgia 591
Utah 514
Mississippi 474
Ohio 467

⭐ Famous People Named Hal

Hal is a masculine given name, often a diminutive form (hypocorism) of Harold, Henry or Harvey, and a nickname. Notable people with the name include:…

Full list on Wikipedia →

✨ Similar Names to Hal

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Hal's Old English roots

📄 About the Name Hal

How Many People Have the Name Hal?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 550 people in the United States currently share the name Hal. That works out to roughly 1 in every 602,635 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.

Is Hal a Common or Rare Name?

Hal is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Hal Mean?

Hal means "short form of Harold" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 3.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Hal in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.

When Was Hal Most Popular?

The name Hal reached peak popularity in 1956, with 598 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Hal?

Approximately 550 people named Hal live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 550. That works out to roughly 1 in 602,635 Americans.

Is Hal a rare name?

Hal is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 602,635 Americans has this name.

What does the name Hal mean?

Hal means "short form of Harold" and comes from Old English origins.

Is Hal more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Hal are male and 0% are female.

When was Hal most popular?

Hal peaked in 1956 with 598 births that year. Current trend: Rising.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US550
All-Time Births550
1 in X1 in 602,635
RarityVery Rare
GenderMale
Avg Age78
Peak Year1956
World Rank#17,043
Male %100%
Female %0%

Check the statistics for any first or last name

Search Names
Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.