Haile is a unisex given name of Ethiopian origin, derived from the Semitic root "ሓይ" meaning "life". It is pronounced /ˈhaɪliː/ in English. In Ethiopia, Haile was traditionally given to both boys and girls born around sunrise, symbolizing the start of a new day full of promise and hope. The name gained international recognition through Haile Selassie, who served as Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 until he was overthrown in 1974. As of recent years, Haile has seen increased usage worldwide, particularly among parents seeking unique yet meaningful names for their children.
The name Haile had its highest popularity in the year 2003 with 11 births, and again in 1935. After a gap of several decades, it regained some traction from the late 1970s onwards, with consistent appearances throughout the late 20th century and into the 21st century. However, the overall trend shows fluctuations in popularity, with most years recording fewer than 10 births.