Noel is a boy's name in the United Kingdom, with examples like Noel Gallagher, and it typically rhymes with "mole". However, it sometimes may be pronounced with a short "uhl" sound, but it never sounds like "Noelle". Meanwhile, Noelle is a girl's name, and it sounds like No Elle.
Noel or Noël has been in use as both a given name and a surname since the 12th century. It has been traditionally given to children born over the Christmas period, and most early baptisms of the name took place in December or early January. It is a unisex name, but was more commonly used for boys than girls, often in the spelling "Nowell" which in some instances may have been thanks to an adoption of the surname. The dieresis can be used over the e and is an indication that both syllables are pronounced.Famous women include: Noel Streatfeild (author known for the Ballet Shoes) and Countess Noël Rothes (Titanic survivor). Famous men include: Noël Coward and Noel Gallagher.
― Anonymous User 11/29/2019
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Okay, this name can be used as a feminine name, because guess who's named Noel? Me! So stop it, this can be a girl's name too. I know it can be pronounced Nole, but it can also be pronounced No-elle (that's how mine's pronounced) so don't be salty with this name, there's a lot of diversity with it.
― Anonymous User 9/26/2019
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Many comments on the pronunciation of Noel on here. Many probably are assuming it is pronounced like the word "Noel" in the Christmas hymn. But think of the name Joel. Also if we have someone with that name posting, we can take his word for it. Only the feminine version, Noelle, should be pronounced with a heavy emphasis on the second syllable, as in "No-ELLE"
― Anonymous User 9/26/2019
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Noel can also be used as a feminine name. Noel can be used for both males and females, though Noelle is only used for females.Noel doesn’t sound masculine enough to be used only on males because it’s closer to the feminine form Noelle that can’t be used for males at all! Noel used to be exclusively masculine, but now it has the alternative to be feminine. I personally like the name Noel for boys and girls, but I prefer it on a boy because it was mostly made to be masculine. Noel for a girl still sounds elegant and unique. It’s not too boyish or strong. I like the Christmas association.
Noel Rosa was a Brazilian songwriter, singer, and guitar/mandolin player. One of the greatest names in Brazilian popular music, Noel gave a new twist to samba, combining its Afro-Brazilian roots with a more urban, witty language and making it a vehicle for ironic social commentary.
I find this thread fascinating. My name is Noell, pronounced No-ell. I was the first-born child, a girl, delivered on Mother's Day. I live in West Virginia and never met another No-ell in my life, but know of a local family with the surname 'Noell', pronounced Noll. My favorite thing, besides its originality, is challenging wanna-be comedians to come up with a 'funny' I haven't heard. I believe names mean something special to the person bestowing it, regardless of what some book may say.
I do like this name, but for a boy, I would use the pronunciation of "Nole" only. Sorry but "No-elle" sounds strictly feminine. I prefer:Noel (Nole) for boys Noelle for girlsAnd also, this name could be used as a diminutive\nickname of "Nolan" but probably spelled as "Nole". For some reason, Nole isn't in the database.
― Anonymous User 5/29/2016
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Love this for a boy; it's so handsome and warm. (Pronouncing it NOL)
I guess it depends on where you live. I have never heard of a NOL in my life. I have known lots of Noel's and they are NO-EL. The latter sounding wayyy better in my opinion.
I am English and we (as said above) have Noel Edmunds, Noel Gallagher, Noel Clarke and, my favourite and namesake of a possible future son, Noel Fielding; all pronounced no-uhl by everyone I know in my area, Nole by my cockney friends!
Why does everyone pronounce this as no-EL? It's Noel-ryhmes-with-Joel. You don't say jo-EL, so why say no-EL? I guess this name is relatively unknown where I live, or just in America in general. Or I guess Americans never got around to listening to Wonderwall.If I ever have a son, I will name him Noel. It is unique but at the same time not strange. It has a strong sound to it while at the same time sounds honest and kind. What I love about this name is that it is simple yet meaningful.
Noel Rosa (December 11, 1910 - May 4, 1937), Brazilian samba musician. Singer, songwriter, guitar/banjo player and one of the most important artists of Brazilian music.
To the person who thought this was a girl name, you're thinking of Noelle. Noel is supposed to be used for boys, although it has some feminine usage recorded (which I find a little tacky). This name is kind of growing on me pronounced no-ELL, but I've always liked the nole pronunciation. At first sight I think a lot of people would say no-ELL, so I know this sounds bad but maybe spell it Nole or Noll if you want the latter pronunciation.
― Anonymous User 6/15/2013
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I can't stand it when people use this name on girls. Noel is for guys, Noelle for girls.
I live in the NW US. I usually hear this name pronounced NOL. Occasionally I've heard NO-wul. I've always heard Christmas cards with Noel on them pronounced as no-EL, but I've never heard this pronunciation for a *person* named Noel.
Noel is the French word for Christmas and is a not-too-uncommon name for children born during the Christmas season.However, there is an assertion that Noel does NOT mean "birth". Sorry, but ultimately it does. Romance (that mean Latin-derived) languages' word for "Christmas" is usually some derivative of the natalis -- Latin for "birth". Noel is Old French, and is, indeed Latin-derived.The English male name is commonly pronounced No-wuhl, but if it is accompanied by a trema (two dots over the "e") then it is pronounced No-el (to the English-trained ear this sounds like No-well, but there is a subtle difference). Technically, if it is a female name, it should be spelled Noelle. However, some women are named with the masculine spelling and the French pronunciation, especially if they are Christmas babies.
The meaning, the sound of it (when pronounced NOL, that is), everything about it just tickles me to the core. Plus it gives me a very distinctly British impression, which is a plus (I can't help it, I'm an anglophile). Noel will be my baby boy's name, if I ever have one. It makes me think of sexy British guys; I want my son to be a sexy British guy (or at least sexy).
I know a girl (born the day after Christmas), with the middle name Noel. She pronounces it no-ELL. It's alright. I definitely prefer no-ELL over NOLL, which sounds clumsy. But for a girl I prefer Noelle.
I wish it was pronounced NO-el, with the emphasis on the first syllable. I find it more mature-sounding, like Neal etc. Noel sounds so feminine and a bit like a lower class name. And it sounds kitschy. I only like the pronunciation no-EL in France where it is simply the correct pronunciation.
I love this name, but only pronounced no-EL. I have NEVER heard this name pronounced NOL, and I don't know why anyone would degrade this name with that awful pronunciation. I also like the name Noelle. If I have a boy on Christmas I might give this as a middle name, if I have a girl on Christmas I might give Noelle as a middle name.
― Anonymous User 12/23/2008
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Don't forget Noel Edmonds.
― Anonymous User 11/13/2008
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Noel can also be used as a feminine name and was a popular girls name in the early 1900s. A famous woman was author Noel Streatfeild 1895-1986.
There's every reason to prononce Noel as no-EL if that is how your parents spell the name they gave you. I named my daughter Noel and I wanted it spelled just as it is seen everywhere at Christmas. Every year since before I was born my Grandma put large electric candels in her front window that had NOEL on them and my favorite memory is driving up to their house at night and seeing those glowing in the window.
Noel is a boys' name, and it's pronounced NOL. If you want a girls' name pronounced no-EL, that is Noelle. Unless you are French, there is no reason to pronounce Noel as no-EL, and even then, it is masculine.
This is my father's name. I like it and I would use it as a middle name if I had a son or Noelle as a first name if I had a daughter. It isn't overused and suits people young and old.
― Anonymous User 2/4/2008
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I love the name Noel, it can be a great name for a guy (sounds strong when you pronounce it like noll) but it's so pretty for a girl (especially one born around Christmas). Someone brilliant who has this name, for all you amazing Doctor Who fans, Noel Clarke (Mickey Smith). Gotta love him!
I don't know about it being *normally* pronounced in the USA as "NOL". I've lived in the US all my life and only heard it as "no-EL" until recently when I saw something about Tropical Storm Noel on the news and noticed they were pronouncing it the other way.
This is my middle name; I'm a girl but I was named after my great-grandfather, so I spell it the masculine way. I love this name.
― Anonymous User 9/5/2006
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Anyone who lives in England knows Noel Edmonds. If you don't then where have you been? He is known for his appealing shirts which apparently were bought by his daughters, as he has no fashion sense AT ALL. He is the presenter of Deal or No Deal. And, before it ended Noel's House Party. He doesn't like Mr Blobby.