MallowbyNames

Natalie

NAT-uh-lee · From Latin natalis ('of birth'), after dies natalis Domini, the Lord's birthday, a name traditionally given to girls born at Christmastime.

2025 rank (girls)
#89
Babies named in 2025
2,736
Peak popularity
2005
2025 frequency
1 in 587 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 2006

Declining since 2006, #89 for girls today.

Popularity of Natalie since 1880

Babies named Natalie per year in U.S. Social Security records.

3.7k7.3k11k1880192019602000Most births 2006Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1880s152
1890s353
1900s658
1910s3,527
1920s6,719
1930s4,954
1940s4,129
1950s6,567
1960s19,565
1970s29,801
1980s54,428
1990s63,382
2000s95,095
2010s68,142
2020s21,590

Meaning & origin

A Christmas name by birth, Natalie carries one of the more charming etymologies in the book: Latin natalis pointed to the dies natalis Domini, the Lord's birthday, and for centuries the name marked daughters born in late December. Natalie Wood, herself a Natalia, born to Russian immigrants, carried it into the American mainstream in the 1950s and 1960s.

The name's statistical high-water mark came in 2005, and it has receded gently every year since 2006. Even so, it ranked No. 89 in 2025, when about one in every 587 girls received it, the profile of a modern standard easing into maturity rather than a fading trend.

Today Natalie runs strongest in northern New England, with Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire leading its map. Its crisp three syllables and no-fuss nicknames (Nat, Natty) keep it in steady rotation among parents who want something feminine but grounded.

Natalie descends from the Late Latin name Natalia, built on natalis, 'of birth,' and specifically on dies natalis Domini, the birthday of the Lord, making it, historically, a name for Christmas babies. An early bearer was Saint Natalia of Nicomedia in the fourth century. The name became a durable favorite in Russia as Natalya and in France as Natalie or Nathalie, and it entered wide American use in the twentieth century, with actress Natalie Wood, born Natalia Zakharenko to Russian immigrant parents, giving it midcentury star power. Its American peak came in 2005.

Read more: Natalie on Wikipedia

Where Natalie is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few births

“Natalie” around the world

Where Natalie lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    5

    babies in 2024

  • Ireland

    10

    babies in 2025

  • New Zealand

    17

    babies in 2025

Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Nat, Natty

Variants: Natalia, Nathalie, Natalya, Natalee

Famous people named Natalie

Sibling names for Natalie

Names that share Natalie's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Audrey, Claire, Julia, Gabrielle, Vanessa, Emily, Danielle, Desiree, Hilary, Justine, Tanya, Adira, Alyse, Anamarie, Andra, Angely, Gillian, Jacquline, Juliann, Melaney, Melisa, Valery, Vianey, Charissa, Elicia, Jenine, Meranda, Nichol, Rayanne, Alaynah, Amorie, Atalie, Chrysta, Daphanie, Elanie, Hilarie, Janaye, Jannel, Jaynee, Joselyne, Josilyn, Kristena, Laury, Lorien, Malanie, Malynda, Marleah, Megyn, Mellanie, Noely, Novalie, Shaylene, Tally, Vallerie, Vallery, Valrie, Wendee, Aleese, Chelise, Chelle, Dannae, Ebelin, Evalise, Janelis, Jaselyn, Juleah, Leanny, Livian, Marleni, Maylyn, Melane, Myleen, Nadalie, Naraly, Nashaly, Natalea, Noela, Renika, Seidy, Staphanie, Valaree, Yeraldin, Evalie, Jenevie, Maryori, Arelie, Breigh, Brenee, Erandy, Gelisa, Giannie, Greisy, Jadalee, Kaymarie, Laylonie, Matalie, Melainie, Nadalee, Natara, Natelie, Naylin, Trachelle, Valerye

Brothers: Nathan, Zachary, Evan, Lucas, Marcus, Christian, Clinton, Damien, Kristian, Noel, Kelvin, Lamar, Marlon, Nickolas, Quinten, Quintin, Abriel, Christofer, Cortland, Danthony, Dathan, Daylen, Jashua, Jathan, Jessiah, Stefon, Chrisopher, Domanick, Janathan, Jeromey, Jeromie, Josiel, Keenen, Nicholes, Noal, Nomar, Nygel, Stefen, Stevin, Stevon, Thimothy, Yostin, Anthonee, Brenon, Clayten, Jadrien, Janiel, Joenathan, Jonatha, Tarron, Lathaniel, Abrian, Brayam, Jeniel, Johathon, Jonaven, Jonavin, Jonavon, Jorrell, Joshual, Kayren, Kelwin, Kenniel, Krystofer, Nicoles, Nowell

Names like Natalie

Names whose popularity has moved with Natalie's over the last 50 years.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

N is for Natalie, our favorite little girl.

“N is for Natalie…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Natalie's letter becomes Natalie's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Natalie's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does Natalie mean?
Natalie comes from Latin natalis, 'of birth,' referring to the dies natalis Domini, Christmas Day. It was traditionally given to girls born during the Christmas season.
How popular is Natalie?
Natalie ranked 89th for American girls in 2025, given to about one in every 587 girls. It peaked in 2005 and has been drifting downward since 2006.
Is Natalie a Christmas name?
By origin, yes, the Latin root refers to the Lord's birthday, and the name was historically bestowed on Christmas babies. In modern use it carries no seasonal restriction.
Natalie or Natalia, what is the difference?
Natalia is the older Latin and Russian form; Natalie is the French-influenced spelling that became the American standard. Both are current, with Natalia reading slightly more international.
Where is Natalie most popular?
Its strongest footholds today are in northern New England, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire lead the country.