Noel
Boy name · #478 in 2025 · Uniqueness 58/100
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, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
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?
Noel scores 58 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "distinctive" band. 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. In 2025 the states with the most Noels were CA (126), TX (119), FL (46), NY (39), IL (27). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
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
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. It scores 58/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "distinctive".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.