Unisex name · Latin
Noel
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: ChristmasNoel is a gender-neutral name that comes from Latin and means "Christmas". It is used in English and French.
- Meaning
- Christmas
- Origin
- Latin
- Gender
- Unisex
- US rank
- #1395 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Noel
As a boy's name, Noel comes from Latin and means "Christmas". It is used in English and French.
As a gender-neutral name, Noel comes from Latin and means "Christmas". It is used in English and French.
As a boy's name, Noel comes from French and means "Christmas". It is used in French. In French it is spelled Noël.
In French, say noh-EL. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Noel is also a surname: the 1,077th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 31,994 people. See the most common last names.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Noel on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Noel on 6 lists.
“French for Christmas, gentle and classic”
From Christmas nicknames, christmas nicknames for pets
“French for Christmas, warm and festive”
From Priest names, priestly names from Latin, Greek and Hebrew
“Christmas; Latin via French, sweet for a December baby”
From Cute boy names, short and cute boy names
“Christmas; French. Say noh-EL”
From French boy names, short French boy names
“Christmas; Latin via French, for December babies”
From Gender neutral names, short gender-neutral names
“Old French for Christmas, for a child born then”
From Pretty last names, short aesthetic last names
How popular is Noel?
In 2025, 157 girls and 635 boys in the US were named Noel.
As a girl’s name
- US rank in 2025
- #1,395
- 157 babies, 98 per million girls
- Best rank
- #587 in 1987
- 336 babies that year
- Babies since 1909
- At least 15,284
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 2 per million |
| 1910s | 13 per million |
| 1920s | 15 per million |
| 1930s | 44 per million |
| 1940s | 63 per million |
| 1950s | 47 per million |
| 1960s | 71 per million |
| 1970s | 117 per million |
| 1980s | 145 per million |
| 1990s | 133 per million |
| 2000s | 101 per million |
| 2010s | 107 per million |
| 2020s | 102 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,211 | #1,206 | #1,221 | #1,182 | #1,506 | #1,290 | #1,254 | #1,315 | #1,464 | #1,395 |
As a boy’s name
- US rank in 2025
- #478
- 635 babies, 372 per million boys
- Best rank
- #267 in 1938
- Most babies: 901 in 2014
- Babies since 1880
- At least 52,096
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 87 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 136 per million |
| 1900s | 222 per million |
| 1910s | 206 per million |
| 1920s | 192 per million |
| 1930s | 312 per million |
| 1940s | 238 per million |
| 1950s | 180 per million |
| 1960s | 242 per million |
| 1970s | 311 per million |
| 1980s | 259 per million |
| 1990s | 271 per million |
| 2000s | 291 per million |
| 2010s | 405 per million |
| 2020s | 415 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #381 | #386 | #405 | #395 | #417 | #398 | #425 | #451 | #434 | #478 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Noel
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- NoeliaChristmas (Latin, girl)
Names spelled like Noel
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- NoéRest, comfort (Hebrew, boy)
- NeelDark blue (Sanskrit, boy)
- NoeulSunset glow, a native Korean word (Korean, girl)
- NoahRest, repose (Hebrew, boy)
- NoaMovement, motion (Hebrew, girl)
- NoorLight, radiance (Arabic, unisex)
- NielsVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
- NoelleChristmas (French, girl)
- NovaNew, a new star (Latin, girl)
Names with a similar meaning
- NataliaBorn on Christmas day (Latin, girl)
- NatalieBirthday; Christmas Day (Latin, girl)
- NatashaBorn on Christmas Day (Latin, girl)
- NataleChristmas Day (Latin, boy)
- NatalyaBorn on Christmas Day (Latin, girl)
- NatháliaChristmas Day (Latin, girl)
- NathalieBorn on Christmas day (Latin, girl)
- NollaigChristmas (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
Middle names for Noel
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More names from Latin
- LauraLaurel tree (Latin, girl)
- LeoA lion (Latin, boy)
- OliviaOlive tree (Latin, girl)
- CarinaDear, beloved (Latin, girl)
- EmiliaRival, striving to equal (Latin, girl)
- FloraFlower, blossom (Latin, girl)
- MarinaOf the sea (Latin, girl)
- MaxThe greatest (Latin, boy)
- ReginaQueen (Latin, girl)
- ValentinaStrong, healthy (Latin, girl)
Noel: common questions
What does the name Noel mean?
Noel comes from Latin and means "Christmas". It also has another origin: "Christmas" from French.
Is Noel a boy or girl name?
Noel is used for both boys and girls. In 2025, 157 girls and 635 boys in the US were named Noel, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Noel come from?
Noel comes from Latin and means "Christmas". Today it is used in English and French.
How popular is the name Noel?
Noel ranked #1,395 in the US in 2025, with 157 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Noel?
Forms of Noel with the same meaning and origin include Noelia (Spanish).
What middle names go with Noel?
Middle names that flow well with Noel include Basil, Esmeralda, Louis, Marshall and Peregrine. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.