Find out how popular the first name Nowell has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Nowell by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Nowell is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Nowell.

The history of the first name Nowell

The name Nowell is derived from the Old French word "noel", which means "Christmas". This name has its origins in the Latin word "natalis", meaning "birth" or "birthday". It is closely associated with the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ.

Nowell was initially used as an exclamation or greeting during the Christmas season in medieval England. Over time, it evolved into a masculine given name, particularly popular among Christian families who wished to honor the joyous occasion of Christ's birth.

One of the earliest recorded uses of Nowell as a personal name can be found in the 15th century. In 1427, a man named Nowell de Wolverhampton was mentioned in historical records from Staffordshire, England.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nowell. One of the most famous was Alexander Nowell (1507-1602), an English theologian and clergyman who played a significant role in the English Reformation. He served as the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

Another prominent figure was Laurence Nowell (1530-c.1570), an English antiquarian and lexicographer. He is best known for his work on the study of Anglo-Saxon language and literature, including transcriptions of important manuscripts.

In the realm of literature, Nowell Ames (1839-1912) was an American author and educator who wrote several books, including "The Marvelous Wonders of the Whole World" and "The Instructor's Manual for Basal Teaching".

The name Nowell also holds religious significance in the Christian tradition. In the 16th century, John Noel (1515-1567) was a Protestant martyr who was burned at the stake during the Marian Persecutions in England for his religious beliefs.

Additionally, Robert Nowell (1730-1768) was an English clergyman and hymn writer, best known for his composition "Hail, Sovereign Love", a popular hymn still sung in many churches today.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Nowell was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Nowell, please contact us.

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