Hala
Meaninghalo around the moon · Arabic
Hala is an Arabic girl name meaning “halo around the moon”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationHala peaked in 1887, which makes it a Victorian-era favorite, the kind of name you'd find on a great-great-grandparent. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Halas too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Hala would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 28,169 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryHala first shows up in US birth records in 1887, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 138 years since.
- Where it's lovedWant to meet a lot of Halas? Head to Michigan, where it's the #965 girl name, its best showing of any state.
US births per million girls, 1887–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Hala
Hala is a girl name of Arabic origin meaning “halo around the moon”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It was most fashionable in the 1880s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm, and it's now coming back into style. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic girl names
- Girl name: Eleanor · possibly light
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Girl name: Lyla · night
- Girl name: Aaliyah · exalted
- Girl name: Amira · princess
- Girl name: Lilly · lily flower
- Girl name: Leila · night
- Girl name: Aliyah · ascent
Questions about the name Hala
What does the name Hala mean?
Hala means “halo around the moon” and comes from Arabic. Names built around “moon” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Luna (“moon”), Selena (“moon”), Aylin (“moon halo”) and Selene (“moon”).
What is the origin of the name Hala?
Hala is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Eleanor (“possibly light”), Layla (“night”), Lyla (“night”) and Aaliyah (“exalted”).
Is Hala a boy or girl name?
Hala is a girl name. In 2025, 57 US girls were named Hala.
How popular is the name Hala?
Hala ranked #2,933 for US girls in 2025, given to 57 babies. Its best year was 1887, when it reached #1,147. Over the last five years it has climbed 246 places.
What names are similar to Hala?
If you like Hala, you might also like Luna, Selena, Aylin and Selene.
What should I know before naming my baby Hala?
Hala is an Arabic girl name meaning “halo around the moon”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.