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Noel

Noel: name meaning, origin and popularity

Unisex nameFrench origin#478 in 2025

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈnəʊ(ə)l/

Meaning and origin of Noel

  • A male given name from French.
  • A female given name from French.

Etymology

(names): From Noel in the sense of Christmas; given since Middle Ages to children born at Christmastide. * (city in Missouri): Named for brothers Clark Wallace and William Jasper Noel, stockmen and owners of a sawmill. * (community of Nova Scotia, Canada): Named after its most prominent resident, Noël Doiron.

How popular is Noel?

#478boys, 2025
792U.S. babies in 2025
#267peak rank (1938)
67,380babies since 1880

Since 1880, 15,284 girls and 52,096 boys in the U.S. have been named Noel (23% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #587 in 1987. Its highest rank for boys was #267 in 1938. In 2025 it ranked #478 for boys, with 792 babies given the name.

188019201960200020251,107 peak/yr
U.S. births per year with this name, 1880–2025 (SSA)

Names similar to Noel

Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.

More French unisex names

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Sibling name ideas for Noel

Sister and brother names that share Noel's French roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.

Noel FAQ

What does the name Noel mean?

A male given name from French. A female given name from French. (names): From Noel in the sense of Christmas; given since Middle Ages to children born at Christmastide. * (city in Missouri): Named for brothers Clark Wallace and William Jasper Noel, stockmen and owners of a sawmill. * (community of Nova Scotia, Canada): Named after its most prominent resident, Noël Doiron.

What is the origin of the name Noel?

Noel is listed as a name of French origin.

How popular is the name Noel?

Since 1880, 15,284 girls and 52,096 boys in the U.S. have been named Noel (23% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #587 in 1987. Its highest rank for boys was #267 in 1938. In 2025 it ranked #478 for boys, with 792 babies given the name.

Is Noel a boy or girl name?

Noel is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (15,284 girls and 52,096 boys since 1880).

Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.