Noelle is the English feminine form of Noëlle, the French feminine version of Noël. The name ultimately derives from the Latin natalis, meaning "birthday," and specifically came to refer to Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ. Etymology and History In French, Noël means "Christmas." During the Middle Ages, it was a common practice to name children born on Christmas Day after the holiday, giving rise to the use of Noël as a given name. The feminine form Noëlle emerged in French-speaking regions, and from there, Noelle entered English usage, often spelled without the diaeresis over the 'e'. Notable Bearers Several notable women bear the name Noelle: Noelle Barahona (born 1990), a Chilean alpine skier; Noelle Barker (1928–2013), a British soprano and singing teacher; Noelle Bassi (born 1983), an American butterfly swimmer; Noelle Beck (born 1968), American actress; Noelle Freeman (born 1989), American beauty pageant titleholder; Noelle Keselica (born 1984), American soccer forward; and many others in sports, arts, and public life. Cultural Significance Noelle retains a strong association with the Christmas season, making it a popular choice for girls born in December. Its cross-cultural variants include Noèlia (Catalan), Noélie, Noèle, Noëlla (French), Noela (Galician), and the masculine/unisex Noel. Meaning: Christmas (from French Noël) Origin: French, from Latin natalis (birthday) Type: Feminine given name Usage Regions: English-speaking countries