Names/Hazel/Hazel Grace Lancaster
Fictional CharacterAmericanFictional — The Fault in Our Stars

Hazel Grace Lancaster

Protagonist of 'The Fault in Our Stars'

Biography

Hazel Grace Lancaster is the main character of John Green's bestselling 2012 novel 'The Fault in Our Stars.' A sharp, introspective sixteen-year-old living with stage IV thyroid cancer, Hazel initially attends a cancer support group reluctantly before meeting the charming and philosophical Augustus Waters. Throughout the novel, their relationship deepens as they bond over literature, philosophy, and their shared mortality. Hazel is characterized by her dry wit, intellectual curiosity, and emotional resilience in the face of terminal illness. Her journey explores themes of love, meaning, and the finite nature of human life with both humor and devastating honesty. The character became a cultural phenomenon, resonating with millions of readers worldwide and inspiring a major motion picture adaptation in 2014 that grossed over $300 million globally. Hazel's name itself has become somewhat iconic in young adult literature circles.

The Name Hazel

The fictional character Hazel Grace Lancaster from 'The Fault in Our Stars' significantly boosted the name's popularity among millennial and Gen Z parents, making it a trendy choice for baby girls in the 2010s.

Quick Facts
Category

Fictional Character

Nationality

American

Appears In

The Fault in Our Stars

Thinking about the name

Hazel

English origin

Derived from the hazel tree, prized in Germanic and Celtic cultures for its wood and nuts. The name emerged as a given name in the 19th century alongside the botanical naming movement. It carries warmth, natural beauty, and groundedness, with the hazel color offering a connection to earth-toned, homey qualities.