Natalie

Natalie is the French form of the Latin Natalia meaning "Christmas Day”, from Latin “natalis” meaning “birthday”. In Church Latin, however, the term is used specifically with respect to Christ’s birthday, or “natale domini” (which Christians celebrate as Christmas day). The name was first popularized among members of the Eastern Orthodox Church (many Slavic countries), in honor of an early 4th century saint, Natalia, the wife of St. Adrian of Nicomedia (then a region of the Roman Empire, but now located in modern-day Turkey). Adrian was a high-ranking imperial guard of the Emperor Maximium at a time when Christianity was outlawed by the then-pagan Roman Empire. Given his high stature in the Empire, Adrian himself often presided over the tortures and executions of Christians. During one such event, a group of Christians were being persecuted for their faith and when asked by Adrian what reward they expected by God, the Christians quoted 1 Corinthians 2:9: “Eye has not seen nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for those who love Him.” Apparently Adrian was so impressed by the strength of their faith, he converted on the spot. Then (and this is the best part), he imprisoned himself for breaking the law! His wife Natalia disguised herself as a boy, visited Adrian in jail and asked that he pray for her when he reached heaven. The Eastern Orthodox Church recognized Natalia as a saint in her own right (although she was not technically martyred with her husband), but the Roman Catholic Church does not. This is why Eastern Europeans were the first to adopt the name Natalie as Natalya, Natasha, Nataša, etc. Eventually the name made its way out West and Natalie/Natalia was often given to baby girls born on December 25th (i.e., Christmas Day). Today the name Natalie is most popular in North America (the U.S. and Canada).