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.

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 of Jesus’ …

Jan 4, 2022 · Every year, people sing songs like “The First Noel” at Christmas, and many wonder what a “noel” is. In French, joyeux noel means “Merry Christmas.” Our modern English word comes from the …

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 phrase …

Aug 5, 2025 · Where Did the Word ‘Noel’ Come From? Our modern English word “Noel” is derived from the Middle English word nowel and means “a shout of joy or Christmas song.”

Nov 25, 2024 · It also operates in two forms: lowercase (“noel”) and capitalized (“Noel”). The former means “a Christmas carol,” and the latter translates to Christmas. Across the pond, you might hear …

What does Noel mean? Noel is another word for Christmas, the Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.Most Christians celebrate the holiday on December 25, but it …

Celebrate the true meaning of Noel as a joyful reminder of Christ’s birth, God’s promise, and the hope shared through the coming of Jesus.

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 Christmas …

Simply put, Noel is the French term for Christmas. It stems from the Old French word noël, which itself traces back to the Latin natalis, meaning “birth.” This birth refers specifically to the birth of Jesus …