Nicholas
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Victory of the people
Origin: Greek — from nike (victory) + laos (people)
Popularity: Ranked #112 in 2025 with 3,115 babies born.
History: Nicholas is the name of St. Nicholas of Myra, the 4th-century Turkish bishop whose legendary generosity to children evolved over centuries into the modern Santa Claus. That association gives the name a warmth and magic unlike almost any other. Nicholas was hugely popular in the medieval period across Europe, and in America it surged through the 1980s and 1990s into the top 10. Nick is one of the sharpest, most versatile nicknames in the language — equally at home in a boardroom or on a playground.
Famous people named Nicholas: Nicolas Cage (actor)
Name length: 8 letters
How common is Nicholas? About 1 in 1,066 babies born in 2025 were named Nicholas, or roughly 8.6 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Nicholas
What does the name Nicholas mean?
Nicholas means “Victory of the people” from Greek — from nike (victory) + laos (people) roots.
What is the origin of the name Nicholas?
Nicholas has Greek — from nike (victory) + laos (people) origin. The traditional meaning is “Victory of the people”.
How popular is Nicholas?
Nicholas ranked #112 in 2025 — given to 3,115 babies that year.
When was Nicholas most popular?
Nicholas peaked in 1995 with 29,161 babies registered that year.
Is Nicholas a boy or girl name?
Nicholas is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Nicholass in registered births are male.
Is the name Nicholas rising or falling in popularity?
Nicholas has fallen 25 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #87 in 2020 to #112 in 2025.
How long has Nicholas been recorded?
Nicholas appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.