English speakers borrowed noel from the French word noël, which is also used for both the Christmas holiday and a Christmas carol. It can be traced further back to the Latin word …

1 day 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 …

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".

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 …

Religious festivals advent All Saints' Day All Souls' Day ascension Ascension Day Day of the Dead Divali Diwali Easter Easter Day Hegira Hejira Hijrah holy day pre-Christmas Purim …

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.

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 25, 2025 · Noël — Learn how to say Christmas in French with audio by Marie Assel Cambier and examples by French teacher David Issokson of FrenchLearner.com.

noel, n. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Signifying the holiday season, Noël comes from the Latin verb nasci, meaning “to be born.” A variation of this word, nael, made its way into Old French.