Noel or Noël is a given name and a surname, often given to both girls and boys born over the Christmas period.[1]
Pronunciation | English: /ˈnoʊəl/ NOH-əl French: [nɔɛl] |
---|---|
Gender | Unisex (gender neutral) |
Origin | |
Word/name | French |
Meaning | Christmas, Christmas carol |
Region of origin | Europe |
Other names | |
Related names | Nowell, Noelle |
Noel derives from the old French Noël "Christmas", a variant (and later a replacement) of nael, which itself derives from the Latin natalis "birth". The term natalis dies (birth day) was long used in Church Latin in reference to the birthday of Christ—or in other words: Christmas. In modern English, a Noel can also refer to a Christmas carol.[2][3] The diaeresis (¨) can be used over the e when the two vowels should be pronounced as separate syllables instead of a diphthong.[4]
Other nicknames and modern variations include Noele, Noeline, Nowell, Noela, Noell, Noella, Noelene, Noeleen, and Noelle/Noëlle (French, feminine).[5]