Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Noelle
GirlFrench, Latin· “Christmas”
- Meaning
- Christmas
- Origin
- French, Latin
- Pronunciation
- noh-EHL
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #202
- US babies 2025
- 1,507
- Best rank
- #202 (2021)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Noelle
Noelle is a French and Latin name that means “Christmas”.
Noelle is the feminine form of Noël, the French word for Christmas. Noël comes from the Latin natalis, meaning birthday, from the phrase dies natalis, the birthday of Christ. The name has traditionally been given to babies born around the Christmas season, and both Noelle and the simpler Noel have been used in English since the Middle Ages. Today Noelle feels gentle and graceful, with a festive meaning that does not tie it too tightly to one time of year. It fits alongside other French-style names such as Juliette and Colette, and Elle is a possible short form.
Other spellings with the same sound: Noel.
Popularity over time
Noelle first appears in US Social Security records in 1927. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 62 different years, starting in 1964. Its best national rank was #202 in 2021, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 1,507 were named Noelle. In 2025, 1,507 babies were named Noelle, and it ranked #202 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,949 in 1950, #474 in 1980, #403 in 2000, #366 in 2010, and #202 in 2025. Of the 44,457 US girls named Noelle since records began, 27% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 8,653 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Stevie, Celine, Aitana, Dahlia, and Selah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Noelle ranked highest in Hawaii, Delaware, and Vermont.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #64 | 11 |
| Delaware | #69 | 11 |
| Vermont | #96 | 5 |
| Virginia | #103 | 70 |
| South Carolina | #112 | 39 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Noelle is usually pronounced noh-EHL, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with N and ends in “-le”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Noel.
Middle names for Noelle
A few middle names that flow with Noelle: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Noelle
Similar names
Camille Girl
kuh-MEEL
“ceremonial attendant” · French
#240
Estelle Girl
eh-STEHL
“star” · French
#573
Giselle Girl
jih-ZEL
“pledge” · French
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Lucille Girl
loo-SEEL
“light” · French
#239
Sylvie Girl
SIHL-vee
“forest” · French
#282
Adele Girl
uh-DEHL
“noble” · French
#751
Joelle Girl
joh-EHL
“Yahweh is God” · French
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Mirabelle Girl
MIH-ruh-behl
“wonderful, lovely” · French
#2,249
Isabelle Girl
IH-zuh-behl
“form of Elizabeth; my God is an oath” · French
#166
Brielle Girl
bree-EHL
“short form of Gabrielle” · American (modern coinage)
#143
Annabelle Girl
A-nuh-behl
“lovable; or Anna plus belle” · English
#343
Elle Girl
EHL
“she; short form of Eleanor or Ellen” · French
#461
Lists that include Noelle
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Noelle mean?
Noelle is a French and Latin name that means “Christmas”.
What is the origin of the name Noelle?
Noelle has French and Latin roots. Noelle is the feminine form of Noël, the French word for Christmas.
Is Noelle a popular name?
Yes. Noelle ranked #202 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Noelle a boy or girl name?
Noelle is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Noelle?
Noelle is usually pronounced noh-EHL. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings