Natalie

From the Latin natalis, the birthday, specifically the dies natalis Domini, the birthday of the Lord, Christmas Day. Saint Natalia of Nicomedia died a martyr in the fourth century; a millennium later, the name traveled through Russia as Natalya and into France as Nathalie. Natalie Wood starred in West Side Story; Natalie Portman studied at Harvard between Star Wars sets; Natalie Merchant sang with 10,000 Maniacs. It crested in the American top twenty in the 2000s and has slipped gently since. Currently ranking 73 and given to about one in 518 girls. Three syllables, mid-century glamour, and a December feast day tucked in at the root.