Natividad

This name derives from the Old French “Noel,” variant “Nael,” from the Latin “nātālis (dĭēs),” meaning “day of birth, Christ’s birthday, Christmas Day,” which in turn derives from “nātīvĭtās,” meaning “birth, generation.” It is a name that derives from ethnic and religious tradition and is associated with December 25, the day of the birth of Christ. This name is found in many languages but is especially prevalent in French, Eastern Europe, and English speaking countries. La Navidad was a settlement that Christopher Columbus and his men established in present-day Haiti in 1492 from the Spanish ship’s remains, the Santa María. La Navidad was the first European colony established in the New World during the Age of Discovery, though it was destroyed the following year.