Noel (given name)

Summary

Noel or Noël is a given name and a surname, often given to both girls and boys born over the Christmas period.[1]

Noël
PronunciationEnglish: /ˈnəl/ NOH-əl
French: [nɔɛl]
GenderUnisex (gender neutral)
Origin
Word/nameFrench
MeaningChristmas, Christmas carol
Region of originEurope
Other names
Related namesNowell, 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]

People edit

Fictional characters edit

In names for Santa Claus edit

  • Père Noël, the French equivalent to Santa Claus, literally translated "Father Christmas"
  • Papá Noel, the Spanish and Latin American equivalent
  • Pare Noel, the Catalan-speaking regions' equivalent
  • Papai Noel, the Brazilian equivalent
  • Baba Noel, the Chaldean and Arabic equivalent

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Meaning, origin and history of the name Noël". Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  2. ^ "Noel Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster".
  3. ^ Curzan, Anne (2003). Gender Shifts in the History of English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-82007-3
  4. ^ "Introducing the Diaeresis". 10 October 2016.
  5. ^ "French Nouns Gender - Feminine Endings". 14 September 2010.
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