Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *hailagô ‎(“holy one”), from *hailagaz ‎(“holy”), from Proto-Germanic *hailaz ‎(“whole, safe, hale”), from Proto-Indo-European *koyl- ‎(“safe, unharmed”). Cognate with Old High German heilego ‎(“saint”), Old Norse Helgi ‎(proper name, “Holy One”), Old Norse helgi ‎(“security”).