Hodel

Hodel is a surname that occurs in German-speaking regions and among Jewish communities. It is found in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, as well as in North America and Israel, reflecting historical migrations from Central Europe during the 18th to 20th centuries.

Etymology and variants: The precise origin of Hodel is not universally agreed. Surnames with similar forms—Hodel, Hodell, and Hodele—have arisen from different sources, including diminutive forms of given names, nicknames, or place-derived origins. The variation in spelling often reflects regional orthography and immigration records.

Geographic and demographic context: In contemporary demographics, Hodel is particularly found in certain Swiss regions and in areas of German-speaking Europe, with several lineages established in North America through immigration waves. In Jewish genealogical contexts, the name appears among families adopting Germanic surnames in the early modern period.

Notable individuals: People bearing the surname Hodel have appeared in public life across sports, academia, and the arts, but none have produced a universally recognized association that defines the name.

Given name usage: While rare, Hodel is occasionally encountered as a given name in some communities.