Holding steady, #478 for boys today.
Popularity of Noel since 1880
Babies named Noel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 95 |
| 1890s | 0 | 155 |
| 1900s | 5 | 302 |
| 1910s | 103 | 1,378 |
| 1920s | 184 | 2,115 |
| 1930s | 464 | 3,298 |
| 1940s | 915 | 3,541 |
| 1950s | 905 | 3,646 |
| 1960s | 1,288 | 4,664 |
| 1970s | 1,807 | 5,135 |
| 1980s | 2,494 | 4,773 |
| 1990s | 2,387 | 5,271 |
| 2000s | 1,874 | 5,814 |
| 2010s | 1,866 | 7,613 |
| 2020s | 992 | 4,296 |
Meaning & origin
Noel is a name with a clear seasonal association, often chosen for children born near Christmas. It ranked 478th in the U.S. in 2023, with a peak in 2014 and a stable trajectory. Approximately 1 in 2,690 newborns receive this name, and it has remained consistently used since 1880. The name is most popular in California, Texas, and Nevada. Its French origin and connection to the holiday season give it a warm, festive feel without being overly common.
Noel derives from the Old French 'Noël', meaning 'Christmas', which itself comes from the Latin 'natalis' meaning 'birth'. The name was traditionally given to children born on Christmas Day. It has been used in England since the Middle Ages, often as a surname, and gained popularity as a given name in the 19th century.
Where Noel is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Noel” around the world
Where Noel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
9
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: No
Variants: Noël, Nowell
Sibling names for Noel
Names that share Noel's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Noel
Names whose popularity has moved with Noel's over the last 50 years.
