Updated February 8, 2024

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Boy name origins & meanings

  • Greek : Victorious people

What does Nicholas mean and stand for?

The name Nicholas is of Greek origin and means "people of victory." It derives from the Greek Nikolaos, a name evolved from the components nikē (victory) and laos (people). Nike is also the name of the Greek goddess of victory.

Syllables: 3

Boy name variations

Nicolas

Nicolas

- 2% this year
Masculine
Common
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Nikolas

Nikolas

- 1% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nikolie

Nikolie

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Niko

Niko

+ 2% this year
Masculine
Common
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Nikolaus

Nikolaus

- 27% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nicklaus

Nicklaus

+ 33% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nicola

Nicola

+ 11% this year
Neutral
Rare
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Nick

Nick

+ 1% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nicky

Nicky

+ 8% this year
Neutral
Rare
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Nikki

Nikki

- 8% this year
Neutral
Rare
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Nikita

Nikita

- 31% this year
Neutral
Rare
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Nickita

Nickita

- 17% this year
Neutral
Rare
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Nikos

Nikos

- 10% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nikolai

Nikolai

- 22% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nikola

Nikola

- 16% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nicholai

Nicholai

- 19% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nicanor

Nicanor

+ 25% this year
Neutral
Rare
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Nicos

Nicos

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nichol

Nichol

+ 20% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nichols

Nichols

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nicolson

Nicolson

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nicol

Nicol

+ 11% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nicolo

Nicolo

+ 13% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nikolos

Nikolos

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nicko

Nicko

+ 100% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nicodemus

Nicodemus

+ 21% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nils

Nils

+ 7% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Niles

Niles

- 8% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Nixon

Nixon

- 8% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Cole

Cole

- 8% this year
Masculine
Common
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Colin

Colin

- 10% this year
Masculine
Common
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Colet

Colet

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Claus

Claus

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Klaus

Klaus

+ 11% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Klas

Klas

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Klaas

Klaas

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Miklós

Miklós

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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How Popular Is The Name Nicholas

Family name origins & meanings

  • English and Dutch : from the personal name (Greek Nikolaos, from nikān ‘to conquer’ + laos ‘people’). Forms with -ch- are due to hypercorrection (compare Anthony). The name in various vernacular forms was popular among Christians throughout Europe in the Middle Ages, largely as a result of the fame of a 4th-century Lycian bishop, about whom a large number of legends grew up, and who was venerated in the Orthodox Church as well as the Catholic. In English-speaking countries, this surname is also found as an Americanized form of various Greek surnames such as Papanikolaou ‘(son of) Nicholas the priest’ and patronymics such as Nikolopoulos.
  • The colonial official and revolutionary patriot Robert Carter Nicholas was from a prominent VA family on both sides. His father was a British navy surgeon who emigrated in about 1700 from Lancashire, England, to Williamsburg, VA.

Famous people with this first name

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Popularity

According to Social Security Administration data, Nicholas is slowly becoming less popular after appearing in the top 10 from 2000 to 2003 and the top 50 from 2000 to 2012. Despite the slight fall, Nicholas has remained in the top 100 for the past few decades.

However, it is the 33rd most popular name on FamilyEducation.com.

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Nicholas was at its peak popularity in February 2018.

An Old Testament Name, Nicholas also was used in various forms of literature such as Charles Dickens's Nicholas Nickleby. The name also invokes the image of Saint Nicholas, who not only brings toys at Christmas, but is also the patron saint of schoolchildren, mechanics, sailors, scholars, brides, bakers, travelers, and Russia. Popular namesakes also include actor Nicholas Braun, author Nicholas Sparks, British actor Nicholas Briggs, singer and actor Nicholas Lachey, and actor Nicholas Robinson.

Where is it Popular?

Nicholas was searched for most often in the following states:

Nicknames for Nicholas

  • Cole
  • Klaus
  • Nick
  • Nicky
  • Nico
  • Nix

Pairs well with these middle names

 

Meaning and Origin of Nicholas