Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Noel

Noel is an English masculine name from the French word for Christmas (noël). It was generally used for children born on or around Christmas Day and is considered unisex (although Noelle is the more common spelling for girls today). Noel is familiar to most people as a common refrain in Christmas carols. It is almost always pronounced “no-EL” except as masculine given name we generally use the one syllable “NOHL”. The multi-talented Noël Coward was a famous name bearer in the 20th century, hailing from England he was a famous playwright, director and actor known for his flamboyant style and sophisticated wit. We were surprised to see how popular the male name Noel is in Sweden, Croatia and Hungary. It has never been an ϋber-favorite among English speakers but it has been in consistent use nonetheless.

All About the Baby Name – Noel

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME NOEL

The number one personality is a leader - strong and competitive. They are willing to initiate action and take risks. One personalities work hard toward their endeavors and have the ability to apply their creative and innovative thinking skills with strong determination. They believe in their ability to succeed and are too stubborn to be hindered by obstacles. Ones meet obstacles head-on with such mental vigor and energy that you better step aside. They resent taking orders, so don't try telling them what to do either. This is an intensely active personality, but they are also known as starters rather than finishers. They have a propensity to become bored and will move quickly to the next project if not properly challenged.  They are the ones to think up and put into action new and brilliant ideas, but they are not the ones to stick around and manage them. This personality has an enthusiastic and pioneering spirit. They are distinctly original.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME NOEL

Noel has maintained a spot on the American male naming charts since 1880 – which is as far back as the U.S. government has tracked naming trends. It has primarily been used as a boy’s name, although Noel did appear on the American female naming charts between 1932 and 1998. Today, Noelle is the preferred spelling for little girls. Noel has never been fashionable or overused as a boy’s name; it has never achieved a spot on the charts higher than #266 (1938). And yet this is a name that still feels chic and stylish in its own confident way – a name that refuses to follow the trends and continues to endure despite its modesty. It’s one of those names that has a certain jazz-like coolness without having to scream “Hey, I’m cool!” It also has that erudite British sound to it (like Liam, Beckett, Colin or Oliver) for all those Anglophile parents out there. Noel is a great choice for non-trendy American parents, or for parents of a Christmas baby.

Quick Facts

ON NOEL

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

1

RANKING POPULARITY:

383

PRONUNCIATION:

NOHL

SIMPLE MEANING:

Christmas

Characteristics

OF NOEL

Independent

Individualistic

Ambitious

Strong-willed

Inventive

Successful

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Noel

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME NOEL

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Noel

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME NOEL

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Noel


Popular Songs

ON NOEL

First Noel
a song by Brian McKnight

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear / The First Noel
a song by Babyface

Noel
a song by All Time Low

Noel Leon
a song by George Strait

Stroke It Noel
a song by Big Star

The First Noel
a song by Elvis Presley

Famous People

NAMED NOEL

Noël Coward (playwright/actor)
Noel Blanc (son of voice actor Mel Blanc)
Noel Clarke (actor)
Noel Ellis (football player)
Noel Ferrier (actor)
Noel Gallagher (musician with Oasis)
Noël Godin (Belgian writer)
Noel Harrison (actor)
Noel Prefontaine (football player)
Noel "Paul" Stookey (musician Paul of the folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary)
Noël Coward (playwright/actor)
Noel Blanc (son of voice actor Mel Blanc)
Noel Clarke (actor)
Noel Ellis (football player)
Noel Ferrier (actor)
Noel Gallagher (musician with Oasis)
Noël Godin (Belgian writer)
Noel Harrison (actor)
Noel Prefontaine (football player)
Noel "Paul" Stookey (musician Paul of the folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary)
Noël Coward (playwright/actor)
Noel Blanc (son of voice actor Mel Blanc)
Noel Clarke (actor)
Noel Ellis (football player)
Noel Ferrier (actor)
Noel Gallagher (musician with Oasis)
Noël Godin (Belgian writer)
Noel Harrison (actor)
Noel Prefontaine (football player)
Noel "Paul" Stookey (musician Paul of the folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary)

Children of Famous People

NAMED NOEL

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Noel

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME NOEL

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Noel