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The short answer
Natalie is a feminine name from the Roman name Natalis or Natalia, derived from Latin natalis, meaning "relating to birth, birthday". Behind the Name explains this referred especially to the traditional birthday of Jesus, giving the name a further sense of "Christmas Day". It was borne by the wife of 4th-century martyr Saint Adrian of Nicomedia and was popularized in America by actress Natalie Wood (1938-1981). It is pronounced NAT-ə-lee. In the United States it ranked #89 for girls in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name derives Natalie from the Roman name Natalis or Natalia, from Latin natalis, "relating to birth, birthday", which referred especially to the traditional birthday of Jesus and so carried the further sense "Christmas Day". The entry notes it was the name of the wife of 4th-century martyr Saint Adrian of Nicomedia, venerated as a saint in the Orthodox Church, which made the name traditionally more common among Eastern Christians. It was popularized in America by actress Natalie Wood (1938-1981), born to Russian immigrants.
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Latin | natalis | relating to birth, birthday |
Popularity
Natalie ranked #89 for girls in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration).
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #89 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: Nat
Variants: Natalee, Natalia, Nataly, Natille, Nathalie
Related names: Natalia, Nathalie, Natasha
What the name feels like
Natalie has the polish of an established, internationally used classic, softened by its familiar Nat nickname and its long association with Hollywood glamour via Natalie Wood.
Style tags: classic, cross-cultural, three syllables, Christmas association
Editorial interpretation: These style impressions are editorial judgment, not linguistic fact.
If you like this name
Names that share Natalie's Latin birth-root or its cross-language forms.
Similar by meaning
Similar by sound
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Natalie mean?
Natalie means "relating to birth, birthday", from Latin natalis, with a traditional secondary sense of "Christmas Day" tied to the birthday of Jesus.
Is Natalie a popular name?
Yes. Natalie ranked #89 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are nicknames for Natalie?
The main documented short form is Nat.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Natalie — supports etymology, pronunciation, variants, history.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
