What Does Noel Mean?

Noel is a French word which translates, literally, as “Christmas”. Though it’s likely a relatively modern term for most people as it often appears in Christmas songs and decorations, it has a much longer history, with origins in Catholicism and ancient Latin.

The Origin of Noel

The word Noel is derived from the Latin word “nātālis”, meaning “birth”. This term was used in ancient European Christian pastoral literature to refer to the “Feast of the Nativity” or the “Birth of Jesus” – most commonly known as Christmas.

The Meaning of Noel

Noel still continues to be used as a term to refer to the days encompassing Christmas, and has become strongly associated with the joy of the festive season. Though the definitions of the word and its connotations have changed over time, today we mainly use it to mean the days leading up to and culminating in Christmas day.

It’s a term well-used in songs, poetry and decorations, each of which manages to capture – even if only in a small way – the joy of those days. In its modern usage, the term Noel is representative of the joy associated with Christmas, the feeling of peace and happiness pervading those days, and the hope that a new year will bring blessings and joy to those we hold close.