Natalie is the feminine form of Natalius, from the Latin
cognomen Natalius, Natalia, coming from
natalis, natale, "from the birth". A variant of the Latin
cognomen Natalis, documented in
Roman Republican age.
Strictly, the name only means "from the birth".
Among
Roman Christians, this
cognomina were used in allusion to
Jesus's birth, because to them this was the birth by excellence, but initially not in relation with
Christmas time, because, among other things, the adoption of December 25 as
Christmas was at the end of 4th c.
In the Middle Ages is possible that in English culture
Natalia was prefered for girls born on
Christmas, but not in other cultures, as the Spanish one or the Russian one, where the use of
Natalia is related to the devotion to saints named this way.
In Spain, there is another name related to births, Natividad ("nativity"), referent to Virgin
Mary's birth. Since Natividad and Navidad (
Christmas) are quite alike, it has been used sometimes to girls born on
Christmas (night or day), even if it referes to another Catholic holiday.
Lumia
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