Noel
Boy name · #478 in 2025 · Distinctive
How old is the name Noel? In official American birth records, Noel has been tracked continuously since 1880, giving it 145 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 635 baby boys were named Noel, placing it at #478 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #375, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 2,835 boys born in 2025 was named Noel.
Babies named Noel per year. Source: Official national birth records.
The 145-year story
Noel first appears in the Social Security records in 1880, when 10 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2014, when 901 boys were named Noel — good for #356 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Noel against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Noel in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Noel is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "distinctive". That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Noel is most common
Geography matters for names, and Noel is no exception. Adjusted for how many boys are born in each state, Noel is most common in CA (0.7 per 1,000), TX (0.7 per 1,000), AZ (0.6 per 1,000), IL (0.5 per 1,000), NC (0.5 per 1,000) — against a national average of about 0.4 per 1,000 boys. These are per-capita rates, so they show where Noel is a genuine regional favorite rather than just where the most babies are born.
Names like Noel
Statistically, parents drawn to Noel tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Yoel, Yisroel, Marcel, Uriel, and Lionel.
YoelYisroelMarcelUrielLionelAbelIsraelManuel
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Noel | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 635 | #478 |
| 2024 | 731 | #434 |
| 2023 | 686 | #451 |
| 2022 | 743 | #425 |
| 2021 | 787 | #397 |
| 2020 | 714 | #416 |
| 2019 | 791 | #395 |
| 2018 | 789 | #405 |
| 2017 | 832 | #386 |
| 2016 | 846 | #381 |
| 2015 | 862 | #375 |
| 2014 | 901 | #356 |
| 2013 | 778 | #383 |
| 2012 | 682 | #417 |
| 2011 | 587 | #456 |
| 2010 | 545 | #477 |
| 2009 | 555 | #490 |
| 2008 | 592 | #467 |
| 2007 | 636 | #439 |
| 2006 | 607 | #446 |
| 2005 | 591 | #442 |
| 2004 | 572 | #454 |
| 2003 | 514 | #483 |
| 2002 | 548 | #449 |
| 2001 | 583 | #422 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Noel?
In official American birth records, the name Noel first appeared in 1880 (over 145 years ago), when 10 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Noel a popular boy name?
Noel ranked #478 among boys in 2025 with 635 babies given the name — inside the top 500: established but not ubiquitous. Ten years earlier it ranked #375.
When was the name Noel most popular?
Noel peaked in 2014, when 901 American boys received the name (ranked #356 that year). Since 2014 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Noel?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 2,835 newborn American boys was named Noel. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "distinctive".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.