Noel is the French word for "Christmas", from the Latin natalis dies, the "birthday" of Christ, and was traditionally given to boys born around the holiday. Playwright Noel Coward and Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher are its best-known bearers; in the United States it is also popular in Hispanic families, where it is pronounced no-EL. Noel ranked number 406 in 2000, peaked at number 356 in 2014 and stands at number 478 in 2025.