The name Nataly is a feminine given name derived from the Latin name Natalia, which itself is derived from the Latin word "natalis," meaning "relating to birth." It is thought to have originated in ancient Rome, where it was used to refer to the celebration of a person's birthday or the anniversary of their birth.

The name Natalia gained popularity in the Christian tradition, as it was associated with the Nativity, the birth of Jesus Christ. It was also likely influenced by the Latin word "natus," meaning "born," which is related to the word "natalis."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nataly can be found in the writings of the 4th-century Christian scholar St. Jerome, who mentioned a woman named Natalia in his letters. However, the name did not become widespread until the Middle Ages, when it was adopted by various European cultures.

In the Byzantine Empire, the name Natalia was popular among the aristocracy, and several notable historical figures bore this name. One such figure was Natalia of Aragon (1351-1388), who was the Queen of Cyprus and the wife of King James I of Cyprus.

During the Renaissance period, the name Nataly gained further prominence, particularly in Italy and Spain. One notable bearer of the name was Natalia Goncharova (1881-1962), a Russian avant-garde artist and influential figure in the Russian avant-garde movement.

In the 19th century, the name Nataly became more widespread across Europe and was also adopted in various forms in other cultures. One famous bearer of the name was Natalia Nikolaevna Pushkina (1812-1863), the wife of the renowned Russian poet Alexander Pushkin.

Another notable figure who bore the name Nataly was Natalia Sedova (1882-1962), a Russian revolutionary and the second wife of Leon Trotsky, a prominent Bolshevik leader and one of the leaders of the Russian Revolution.

In the 20th century, the name Nataly continued to be popular, particularly in Eastern Europe and Russia. One notable bearer of the name was Natalia Makarova (born 1940), a Russian prima ballerina and choreographer who defected to the West in 1970 and became an American citizen.