English speakers borrowed the word noel from French. It can be traced further back to the Latin word natalis, which can mean "birthday" as a noun or "of or relating to birth" as an adjective.

The First Noel "The First Nowell" in Carols, New and Old (1879) 1 0:00 " The First Nowell " (or Nowel), [1] modernised as " The First Noel " [2] (or Noël), is a traditional English Christmas …

Dec 8, 2025 · “Noel” is a word often sung at Christmas that means “birth” or “birthday,” especially the birth of Christ. It comes from the Latin natalis and French noël, referring to the celebration …

Dec 11, 2025 · Inherited from Middle French Noël, from Old French Noel, Naël, inherited from Vulgar Latin *notālis, from Latin nātālis [diēs Dominī] (“birthday of the Lord”) with dissimilation …

Nov 25, 2024 · We've been singing it all season long, but what are we talking about? Find out what the word "noel" means and how to use it appropriately during the holidays.

Dec 5, 2024 · “Noel” comes from the same root words from Latin, natus, where we get the nativity, meaning “birth". Early Christians used it to refer specifically to the birth of Christ, often in the …

Aug 5, 2025 · You are probably familiar with the Christmas carol, 'The First Noel,' but do you know what 'Noel' means? We'll go over its meaning and origin.

3 days ago · What does Noel mean? Discover its Christmas meaning, origin, history, and how the word Noel is used today.

Nov 13, 2025 · The basic meaning of Noel is “birth,” a reference to the birth of Jesus Christ. Noel has been used historically as both a representation of Christmas itself and as an element in …

Noel means "Christmas" in French, symbolizing joy, celebration, and the birth of Christ.