Holding steady, #2,933 for girls today.
Popularity of Hala since 1887
Babies named Hala per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 0 |
| 1920s | 11 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 21 |
| 1970s | 71 |
| 1980s | 137 |
| 1990s | 247 |
| 2000s | 452 |
| 2010s | 591 |
| 2020s | 273 |
Meaning & origin
Hala has been recorded in the U.S. since 1887, yet it remains a rare choice, ranking 2,933 in 2025 with only 1 in 28,198 girls receiving the name. Its peak popularity came in 2011. The name shows a stable trajectory, with top usage in Michigan, New York, and Texas. Hala's gentle sound and luminous meaning appeal to parents seeking a distinctive name with Arabic heritage.
Hala derives from the Arabic root h-l-w (to be sweet) or directly from the word for 'halo' or 'radiance' (هالة). In Arabic, it is sometimes associated with the halo of the moon. The name has been used across the Arabic-speaking world for centuries. It entered the U.S. naming pool in the late 19th century, likely through immigration.
Where Hala is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Hala” around the world
Where Hala lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Sibling names for Hala
Names that share Hala's style, for a brother or sister.
