Noel is another word for Christmas, especially in songs and poetry. When you hear “The First Noel” during the holidays, the title means “The First Christmas.” The word comes from French, where Noël means Christmas or a Christmas carol.

You'll most often see noel in holiday music and decorations. Carol singers might wish you a “joyous noel,” meaning a happy Christmas. The word appears on Christmas cards, in song lyrics, and on festive banners. It carries a slightly old-fashioned, poetic feeling, which is why it fits so naturally into traditional carols and holiday greetings.

Noel can also be a person's name, given to boys or girls, sometimes as a way to remember that they were born around Christmastime.