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’ …

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 carol with Cornish …

5 days ago · 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 of the first -a- to -o-.

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 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.”

Dec 10, 2020 · Is “Noel” the Same Thing as “Christmas”? December 10, 2020 Christmas is a Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. Most Christians celebrate the …

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 …

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