Noel or Noël is a given name, often given to both girls and boys born over the Christmas period. Noel derives from the Old French "Noël", meaning "Christmas". It is a variant (and later replacement) of "nael", which itself comes from the Latin ''natalis'', meaning "birth". The term ''natalis dies'' (birth day) was long used in Church Latin in reference to the birthday of Christ—or in other words: Christmas. In modern English, a Noel can also refer to a Christmas carol. The spelling with a diaeresis over the "e" (Noël) is used to indicate that the two vowels are pronounced separately rather than as a

diphthong A diphthong ( ), also known as a gliding vowel or a vowel glide, is a combination of two adjacent vowel sounds within the same syllable. Technically, a diphthong is a vowel with two different targets: that is, the tongue (and/or other parts of ...

. Other nicknames and modern variations include Noele, Noeline, Nowell, Noela, Noell, Noella, Noelene, Noeleen, and Noelle/Noëlle (French, feminine).

People

Noël (singer) Noël is an American disco music singer who released an album and several singles on Virgin Records at the end of the 1970s.Billboard – 22 Dec 1979 "Virgin Records artist Noel did an interview with Vinnie Pcruzzi at Boston's WXKS-FM to promote a ...

, American disco singer * Noel Agazarian (1916–1941), British pilot * Noël Atom (b. 2005), German footballer *

Noel Barrionuevo María Noel Barrionuevo (born 16 May 1984) is an Argentine field hockey player. She won the bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, the silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and another silver medal at the 2020 Summer O ...

(b. 1984), Argentine female professional field hockey player and Olympian * Noel Bauldeweyn (c. 1480–1513), Franco-Flemish composer *

Noel Blanc Noel Barton Blanc (born October 19, 1938) is an American commercial producer, retired voice actor, and the son of the late cartoon voice actor Mel Blanc. Early life and career Blanc was born on October 19, 1938, in Los Angeles, California. He ...

(b. 1938), American voice actor, son of Mel Blanc *

Noel Cabangon Noel Gadiano Cabangon (born December 25, 1963) is a Filipino folk singer and composer, known for composing socially-relevant songs. In 1987, he formed the group ''Buklod'' together with Rene Boncocan and Rom Dongeto. Early life and education No ...

(b. 1963), Filipino singer *

Noel Chavasse Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse, (9 November 1884 – 4 August 1917) was an English medical doctor, Olympic athlete, and British Army officer from the Chavasse family. He is one of three people to be awarded a Victoria Cross twice, the others be ...

(1884–1917), British medical officer and decorated hero *

Noel Clarke Noel Anthony Clarke (born 6 December 1975) is an English actor, writer, director and producer. Rising to prominence for playing Mickey Smith in ''Doctor Who'' (2005–2006, 2008, 2010), he received critical acclaim for writing, directing, and ...

(b. 1975), English actor and writer *

Noël Coward Sir Noël Peirce Coward (16 December 189926 March 1973) was an English playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what ''Time (magazine), Time'' called "a sense of personal style, a combination of c ...

(1899–1973), British actor, playwright, and popular music composer *

Noel Devine Noel Devine (born February 16, 1988) is an assistant coach at West Virginia University and former American football running back. Devine played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers and holds the record for career-all purpose yard ...

(b. 1988), American football player *

Noel Dyson Elsie Noel Dyson (23 December 1916 – 29 June 1995) was an English character actress. Dyson played a number of roles in theatre, television and films (including in telemovies) but is best remembered as a versatile character actress in TV seri ...

(1916–1995), British actress *

Noel Edmonds Noel Ernest Edmonds (born 22 December 1948) is an English businessman, and former television presenter, radio DJ, writer and producer. Edmonds first became known as a disc jockey on Radio Luxembourg before moving to BBC Radio 1 in the UK, pres ...

(b. 1948), British television presenter and DJ * Noel Emmanuel (b. 1960), 6th Bishop of Trincomalee * Noel Scott Engel (1943–2019), birth name of Scott Walker, American singer *

Noel Fielding Noel Fielding (; born 21 May 1973) is an English comedian, artist, and actor. He was part of The Mighty Boosh comedy troupe alongside Julian Barratt in the 2000s, and has been a co-presenter of ''The Great British Bake Off'' since 2017. He is kn ...

(b. 1973), British comedian and television actor *

Noel Fisher Noel Roeim Fisher (born March 13, 1984) is a Canadian actor. He is known for his portrayal of Mickey Milkovich on the Showtime series '' Shameless'', as well as his portrayal of Cael Malloy on the FX series ''The Riches''. He played Ellison "C ...

(b. 1984), Canadian actor *

Noel Francis Noel Francis (born Noel Frances Sweeney; August 31, 1906 – October 30, 1959) was an American actress of the stage and screen during the 1920s and 1930s. Born in Texas, she began her acting career on the Broadway stage in the mid-1920s, befo ...

(c. 1906–1959), American actress *

Noel Gallagher Noel Thomas David Gallagher (born 29 May 1967) is an English musician, singer and songwriter. Gallagher is the primary songwriter, lead guitarist and a co-lead vocalist of the rock band Oasis (band), Oasis. After leaving Oasis, he formed Noel ...

(b. 1967), English musician * Noel V. Ginnity (fl. 1957–2020's), Irish comedian *

Noël Godin Noël Godin (born 13 September 1945) is a Belgian writer, critic, actor and notorious pie thrower or ''entarteur''. Godin gained global attention in 1998 when his group ambushed Microsoft CEO Bill Gates in Brussels, pelting the software magna ...

(b. 1945), Belgian writer *

Noel Harrison Noel John Christopher Harrison (29 January 1934 – 19 October 2013) was an English actor and singer. In the 1950s, he was a member of the British Olympic skiing team. In 1968, Harrison had a top-10 hit in the UK Singles Chart with " The Wind ...

(1934–2013), British actor and singer * Noel Hasa (born 2003), Finnish footballer *

Noel Hood Margaret Noel Hood (25 December 1909 – 15 October 1979) was a British actress. She was married to the Irish-born actor Charles Oliver. Filmography Film * ''Crook's Tour'' (1940) as Edith Charters * '' Personal Affair'' (1953) as 4th Gossip ( ...

(1909–1979), British actress * Noel Jenke (1946–2020), American football player *

Noel King Noel King (born 13 September 1956) is a former professional footballer and manager. For 10 years from 2000 until 2010 he was manager of the Republic of Ireland women's national team. He was appointed interim men's national team senior manager ...

(b. 1956), Republic of Ireland U-21s football manager * Noel LaMontagne (b. 1977), American football player *

Noel Langley Noel Langley (25 December 1911 – 4 November 1980) was a South African-born (later naturalised American) novelist, playwright, screenwriter and director. He wrote the screenplay which formed the basis for the 1939 film '' The Wizard of Oz'' a ...

(1911–1980), South African novelist, screenwriter and director *

Noel León Noel Jesús León Vázquez (born 21 December 2004) is a Mexican racing driver who currently competes in the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship with Prema Racing, having previously raced with Van Amersfoort Racing in 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championshi ...

(born 2004), Mexican racing driver * Noël Leslie, Countess of Rothes (1878–1956), British philanthropist and social leader, heroine of the Titanic disaster *

Noel MacNeal Noel MacNeal (born September 15, 1961), sometimes credited as Edward Noel MacNeal, is an American puppeteer, actor, director, singer and writer. He is best known as the performer of Bear on ''Bear in the Big Blue House''. He also starred as Kako ...

(b. 1961), American puppeteer * Noel Manoukian (1938–2019), justice of the Supreme Court of Nevada * Noël Martin (1959–2020), British activist and neo-Nazi attack victim *

Noel Neill Noel Darleen Neill (November 25, 1920 – July 3, 2016) was an American actress, pin-up girl, and model. She played Lois Lane in the film serials ''Superman'' (1948) and '' Atom Man vs. Superman'' (1950), as well as the 1950s television series ' ...

(1920–2016), American actress *

Noel Pagan Noel Pagan, also known simply as Noel (born 1965), is an American freestyle music singer born in the Bronx, New York City. His debut single, " Silent Morning", became his first Top 10 hit on the dance singles chart and peaked at No. 47 on the ' ...

or ''Noel'', American freestyle musician *

Noel Redding Noel David Redding (25 December 1945 – 11 May 2003) was an English rock musician, best known as the bass player for the Jimi Hendrix Experience and guitarist/singer for Fat Mattress. Following his departure from the Experience in 1969 a ...

(1945–2003), English guitarist and bassist *

Noël Regney Noël Regney (born Léon Schlienger; 19 August 1922 – 22 November 2002), was a French World War II veteran and songwriter who is best known for composing the Christmas standard "Do You Hear What I Hear?" with his then-wife Gloria Shayne Baker in ...

(1922–2002), French songwriter *

Noel Rosa Noel de Medeiros Rosa (December 11, 1910 – May 4, 1937) was a Brazilian singer-songwriter. One of the greatest names in Brazilian popular music, Noel gave a new twist to samba, combining its Afro-Brazilian roots with a more urban, witty langu ...

(1910–1937), Brazilian songwriter and musician *

Noel Rosal Noel Ebriega Rosal (born January 2, 1964) is a Filipino businessman and politician who is the governor-elect of Albay, having been elected. He previously served as the governor of Albay in 2022 and as mayor of Legazpi from 2001 to 2010 and aga ...

(b. 1964), Filipino politician *

Noel Stanton Noel Stanton (25 December 1926 – 20 May 2009) was the founder of the Jesus Army in England. Its successor, the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust closed in 2020 following scandals, and issued a closure statement including an unreserved apology ...

(1926–2009), English religious leader, founder of the Jesus Army * Noel Stockdale (1920–2004), English businessman *

Noel Paul Stookey Noel Paul Stookey (born December 30, 1937) is an American singer-songwriter and activist who is known for being a member of the 1960s folk music, folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary along with Peter Yarrow and Mary Travers. He has been known by his f ...

(b. 1937), American folk musician *

Noel Streatfeild Mary Noel Streatfeild OBE (24 December 1895 – 11 September 1986) was an English author, best known for children's books including the "Shoes" books, which were not a series (though some books made references to others). Random House, the U.S. ...

(1895–1986), British author (Ballet Shoes) *

Noel Sullivan Noel Sullivan (born 28 July 1980, as Noel John Hayes) is a British singer and actor from Cardiff, Wales. He was a member of the British pop group Hear'Say. Like the other members of the group, he won his part through the ITV talent show ''Pop ...

(b. 1980), Welsh singer and actor *

Noel Toy Noel Toy (born Ngum Yee Hom; December 27, 1918 – December 24, 2003) was an American burlesque performer famous for her fan dance and bubble dance, initially at the Forbidden City nightclub in San Francisco, California. Later, she acted i ...

(1918–2003), American burlesque performer and actress *

Noel Thatcher Noel Thatcher is a British Paralympic runner who represented the United Kingdom at six Paralympic Games between 1984 and 2004, collecting a total of five gold medals. His two career highlights are winning gold and setting a world record at Bar ...

, British Paralympic athlete *

Noel Walsh Noel Walsh (29 December 1935 – 29 April 2020) was an Irish Gaelic footballer, administrator, selector, manager and member of the Defence Forces. As a selector and manager, he worked with the Clare county team. As a provincial administrator ...

(1935–2020), Irish Gaelic footballer, administrator, selector, manager and member of the Defence Forces *

Noel Whelan Noel David Whelan (; born 30 December 1974) is an English football coach, former professional footballer and radio co-commentator. As a player, he was a striker (association football), striker who notably played in the Premier League for Leeds ...

(b. 1974), English professional footballer *

(1968-2019), Irish politician and psephologist *

Noël Wells Noël Kristi Wells (born December 23, 1986) is an American actress, comedian, singer, and writer. She is known for her television roles as Rachel Silva in the Netflix comedy-drama ''Master of None'' (20152017), as the voice of Kelsey Pokoly in th ...

(b. 1986), American comedian and actress *

Noel Wimalasena Deshamanya Noel Wimalasena (23 March 1914 – 5 May 1994) was a Sri Lankan lawyer, politician and the first Governor of Sabaragamuwa. Early life and education Nanediri Wimalasena was born on 23 March 1914 in Kandy, Sri Lanka. He attended Ana ...

(1914–1994), Sri Lankan Sinhala diplomat, 1st Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka

Fictional characters

Noël (comics) Noel or Noël may refer to: Christmas * , French for Christmas * Noel is another name for a Christmas carol Places * Noel, Missouri, United States, a city * Noel, Nova Scotia, Canada, a community * Noel Park, a suburb in Greater London, Eng ...

, a character and comics series by André Franquin * Noel (mermaid), in the manga and anime series ''Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch'' * Noel Crane, a character from the TV series '' Felicity'' * Noel K. Ehrlichkeit, in the video game ''Triangle Heart'' * Noel Gruber, a character in the musical ''

Ride the Cyclone ''Ride the Cyclone'' is a 2008 musical with music, lyrics and book by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell. It is the second installment in Richmond's "Uranium Teen Scream Trilogy", a collection of three theatrical works, one not yet written, that t ...

'' * Noel Kreiss, in the video game ''Final Fantasy XIII-2'' * Noël Kannagi, in the anime ''Sora No Woto'' * Noel Seeker, in the video game series '' The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure'' *

Noel Shempsky The main character of the American television sitcom ''Frasier'' (1993–2004) and the 2023 revival ''Frasier'' is Frasier Crane. Other regular characters include: his father Martin, his brother Niles, producer Roz Doyle, and his father's live ...

, in the television series ''Frasier'' * Noël Takao, in the Super Sentai series ''Lupinranger VS Patranger'' * Noel Vermillion in the fighting game series ''BlazBlue''

In names for Santa Claus

*Père Noël, the French equivalent to

Santa Claus Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or Santa) is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Chris ...

, literally translated "Father Christmas" *Papá Noel, the Spanish and Latin American equivalent *Pare Noel, the Catalan-speaking regions' equivalent *Papai Noel, the Brazilian equivalent *Baba Noel, the Assyrian and Arabic equivalent

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Noel (Name) French masculine given names Scottish given names English-language unisex given names English masculine given names Masculine given names English feminine given names Feminine given names Given names derived from holidays

People

Fictional characters

In names for Santa Claus

See also

References