Unisex name · French, Latin

Noel

How to say it: noh-EL · /noʊˈɛl/

Christmas; from Old French 'nael', derived from Latin 'natalis dies' (birthday), referring to the birth of Christ.

Noel was the 215th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 792 babies of either sex (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are down about 30% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #208 by 2030.

Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures

#215for girls in 2025
1 in 1,992US babies
792born in 2025
#208projected for 2030
2020sits peak decade
1 in 83chance a classmate shares it

Key facts

Key facts about Noel
Rank among girls’ names, 2025#215
Babies born in 2025 (both sexes)792
Share of births1 in 1,992
Peak decade2020s
Change over 10 years−30%
Projected rank for 2030 (estimate)#208
In France, 2025#2,666 among girls’ names, 15 births

Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.

Its life, decade by decade

Momentum has built lately for Noel, making the 2020s its best decade. At its peak currently, more growth is anticipated.

1900195020002020–25
Peak: 258 per million births, 2020s.

What goes with it

Soft and gentle, it marks a season and time of year. Luc and Bastien share its style.

Honouring a Noel in the family

In the classroom

In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Noel is about 1 in 83.

Around the world

This spelling is used in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Welsh.

In France: #2,666 for girls in 2025.

Ireland: #423.

Famous people named Noel

From Wikidata and Wikipedia

Good to know

  • Noel is the French word for Christmas

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