Natalie is a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word 'natalis', which means 'birthday'. The name was traditionally given to celebrate the birth of a child or in honor of the birthday of a saint. In some cultures, Natalie is also associated with Christmas, as it is celebrated on December 25th, the day traditionally recognized as the birthday of Jesus Christ.
The name Natalie has been used since the Middle Ages and gained popularity during the Renaissance period. It was often given to girls born around Christmas time or in honor of Saint Natalie, a Christian martyr who was beheaded for her faith in the fourth century.
Today, Natalie is a popular given name worldwide, with variations such as Natalia, Natalya, Nathalie, and Natasha also being commonly used. Despite its widespread use, Natalie remains a unique and elegant name that carries a rich historical significance.
The name Natalie has had varying levels of popularity in the United States over the past few decades. Between 1979 and 2022, there were a total of 548 babies named Natalie born in the U.S.
The peak years for the name Natalie appeared to be around the late 1990s to early 2000s. The highest number of births was recorded in 2007 with 28 newborn girls named Natalie. This was closely followed by 33 births in 2008 and 34 births in 2009.
However, since then the popularity of the name has gradually declined. In recent years, the number of births for girls named Natalie has decreased significantly. Only 5 babies were named Natalie in 2022. This trend suggests that the name may no longer be as popular as it once was among parents choosing names for their daughters.
Despite this decline in popularity, it's still worth noting that there have been a considerable number of girls named Natalie born in the U.S. over the years, indicating that many families continue to choose this name for their children.