I love it in theory - all nature names should really be gender neutral imho and I can see it being a boy name, but I feel like since Hazel is really quite popular for girls it would be difficult to navigate for a boy. Love that you’ve used Garnet already, though that one being less common for girls atm does help.
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Agree with most other posters. The current female popularity is what would give me the most pause. I absolutely adore [name_u]Hayes[/name_u] though!
This explains why I know a male Garnet, but have never heard it on a female! Great choice, btw.
My first instinct was to say no to Hazel for a boy. But I am reconsidering. The sound is actually very neutral, leaning masculine. The only thing that would trip me up is the popularity for girls. I probably wouldn’t use it myself, but I would love to meet a boy Hazel.
Would you consider just Haze? Or
Ash
Eden
Edom
Jade
Onyx
Paz
Phoenix
Raven
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It is so popular with girls right now but irl and here in Nameberry. I’d find it hard to wear personally. Think others have given awesome alternatives: [name_u]Jasper[/name_u], [name_u]Rowan[/name_u], [name_u]Hayes[/name_u].
You have all given me some great points both for and against. I appreciate all the name suggestions too. I wouldn’t choose [name_u]Haze[/name_u] or anything similar sounding if we decide against [name_u]Hazel[/name_u], I would go with something in the same genre. The meaning of a name is as big a part of the attraction as the sound. We have about four months to decide 
Naming little humans is hard!
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I would not consider doing it. There are so many great unisex names that are definitely becoming to a boy or a girl.
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I’m actually surprised at all of these people saying it’s strictly a girls name. To me it’s one of the few nature name used for girls that could easily sound masculine. Imagining it on a boy feels fresh, and I love [name_u]Haze[/name_u] as a nickname.
I’m in the US and have only met one girl with the name, but I don’t see it as sounding more feminine than [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u], [name_u]Ever[/name_u], [name_u]Bellamy[/name_u] or [name_u]Eden[/name_u], all popular and gender neutral.
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Surprised to see the responses…Hazel feels solidly neutral to me. I’d like to see it on a boy.
And honestly, we adults tend to WAY overestimate what names lead to bullying in the modern age…
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I agree with this. Maybe it’s because I have yet to meet a Hazel!
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Now that you say it, same here!
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Honest answer? Yes, too weird.
(I also subscribe to the mantra, if you have to ask, you already know the answer).
Other names that started out male:
- Lauren
- Ashley
- Madison
- Evelyn
- Allison
Etc.
Alternative: Hayes
Alternative: using endings of male-only-names to signal the name is for a boy and not a girl.
- Hazol (like Gerol)
- Hazold (like Harold)
Alternative: gender neutral names:
- Adrian
- Jordan
- Ellis
- Robin
- Terry (could be Terrence or Theresa)
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Another watership down fan!! We had a pet mouse in the past called hyzenthlay and all the names in the story are beautiful.
I ADORE the name [name_u]Hazel[/name_u] for a boy, it’s my great grandmothers name, and one of our top unisex middle name options.
I think it’s got a slight femme feel to it, which may come from the girls name connection, or the woodland vibe.
I feel like as a middle name it carried well for a boy, but slightly hesitant still for a first name.
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[name_m]Just[/name_m] here in solidarity as I love the name [name_u]Winter[/name_u] for a boy even though to some people it feels more feminine.
Honestly i DO know multiple girl Hazels but I think as soon as I met and knew a boy [name_u]Hazel[/name_u] I wouldnt give it a second thought. Especially with how unusual names are becoming now.
That was how I felt about boy [name_u]Avery[/name_u] after knowing a few girl Averys!
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The name appears to be making its way steadily to the top 1000 for boys. 
It’s reassuring because it’s still at the top of our list but that’s just on this site. How are the top 2000 lists created?
Oh, I adore [name_u]Hazel[/name_u] for a boy! Goes brilliantly with [name_u]Garnet[/name_u], too. The Umbrella Academy character means more people will recognise it as a unisex name, too. [name_u]Blaise[/name_u] also comes to mind and has that lovely -aze sound.
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Go for it.
People’s worried replies about how it will be received are founded, but if anyone gives him a hard time, they themselves are to blame, not you.
Be the change you want to see. The invisible grand authority on gender will continue to rule baby naming forever if it isn’t scrapped soon.
Hazel’s gorgeous
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