How Many People Are Named Noel?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Noel

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 73,156 living people in the United States currently have the first name Noel. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 151,104 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #38 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~73,156CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)151,104Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#38U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1948 (3,338 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~73,156
Historical Births (SSA)
151,104
All-Time Rank
#38
Historical Peak
1948

Key Insights for Noel

Estimated Living Bearers
~73,156 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#38
Top 100 All-Time Classic
Historical Peak Year
1948
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
87% Male · 13% Female
Recent 10-Year Trajectory
Softening (-15%)
2015–2024 SSA birth registration trend
Largest Estimated Population
California
~9,145 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Noel

Living Population Model
~73,156

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
151,104

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
133,333

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
64.2 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1948

Highest annual total: 3,338 registrations in 1948.

Recent 10-Year Trend
declining (-15%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Between 2015 and 2024, Noel has experienced a 15% softening in annual newborn registrations from preceding decades.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Noel (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1948 (~3,338 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201015150
201113130
201212120
201311110
201410100
201510100
201610100
2017990
2018990
2019880
2020880
2021880
2022880
2023880
2024770

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
98/100
1950s
94/100
1960s
66/100
1970s
35/100
1980s
14/100
1990s
4/100
2000s
1/100
2010s
1/100
2020s
1/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Noel has been predominantly masculine (87% male vs 13% female).

Male: 87% (~131,530 births)Female: 13% (~19,574 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Noel

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Noel in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Noel appeared 133,333 times, ranking #407 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
133,333 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#407
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Noel Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~9,145 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~9,14512.5%
Texas (TX)~6,7309.2%
Florida (FL)~4,9756.8%
New York (NY)~4,4636.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~2,9264%
Illinois (IL)~2,8533.9%
Ohio (OH)~2,6343.6%
Georgia (GA)~2,4143.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 73,156 people named Noel are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 64.2 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Noel: 64.2 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

Explore all variants →

Frequently Asked Questions About Noel

How many people in the U.S. are named Noel?

Approximately 73,156 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Noel. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 151,104 birth applications for Noel between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Noel?

Noel ranks #38 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This puts Noel among the 100 most common first names in American history.

When was the name Noel most popular in America?

The name Noel reached its peak historical popularity in 1948, when 3,338 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Noel?

Noel has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Noel?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Noel has been predominantly masculine (87% male vs 13% female).

Where is the name Noel most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Noel resides in California, with approximately 9,145 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Noel in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Noel appeared 133,333 times in census returns, ranking #407 in official 2020 returns.

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