Nicholas Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, Boy Names Like Nicholas

Nicholas Name Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: nih-koh-las
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Nicholas Name Meaning

A handsome name with centuries of use to explore, Nicholas is a timeless choice for parents. He’s a familiar face on classroom rosters yet not so common to feel redundant.

Nicholas has been the name of emperors, actors, philosophers, and more, a moniker with a depth that’s hard to match. He’s a powerful pick that also has a deeply religious side, the name of popes and a popular saint. Saint Nicholas is the beloved patron saint of children and sailors, a great association for a name. His protective, nurturing ways gives the name an added boost of warmth.

While Nicholas is certainly a mature name with plenty of serious figures in his background, he works just as well on a little guy. With nicknames like Nick, Nico, and Nicky giving him a playful side, he works well in youth. A little Nicholas is quite the sweetheart, always looking for a way to make those around him smile. A gentle spirit with a heart of gold, he’s devoted to those closest to him.

Nicholas bucks the trends of today, traveling in his own lane of style and remaining a stand out in the Top 100. His sweet sound and rich associations make him the perfect fit for your little one.

Nicholas Name Popularity

How popular is the name Nicholas? Here’s everything we know.

Year	Rank	# Births	% Births
1910	141	188	0.0534%
1911	123	257	0.069%
1912	113	641	0.1271%
1913	113	732	0.1291%
1914	101	1,109	0.1591%
1915	106	1,377	0.1516%
1916	107	1,367	0.1415%
1917	110	1,362	0.1361%
1918	113	1,438	0.134%
1919	124	1,272	0.1215%
1920	124	1,296	0.1166%
1921	116	1,498	0.1308%
1922	122	1,368	0.1228%
1923	122	1,421	0.1269%
1924	122	1,448	0.1247%
1925	133	1,295	0.1146%
1926	134	1,262	0.1147%
1927	139	1,230	0.1111%
1928	142	1,165	0.1089%
1929	143	1,158	0.1118%
1930	147	1,084	0.1038%
1931	149	1,045	0.1059%
1932	165	877	0.0888%
1933	164	840	0.0902%
1934	167	814	0.0842%
1935	160	859	0.0884%
1936	160	860	0.0893%
1937	163	869	0.0882%
1938	164	934	0.0912%
1939	157	978	0.0961%
1940	155	1,052	0.099%
1941	148	1,171	0.104%
1942	142	1,451	0.1149%
1943	149	1,398	0.1071%
1944	150	1,332	0.1075%
1945	151	1,330	0.1091%
1946	145	1,652	0.112%
1947	143	1,912	0.1145%
1948	143	1,904	0.1193%
1949	138	1,971	0.1225%
1950	125	2,155	0.1338%
1951	121	2,369	0.1397%
1952	127	2,330	0.1335%
1953	131	2,338	0.1321%
1954	134	2,360	0.1291%
1955	141	2,154	0.1171%
1956	147	2,196	0.1163%
1957	154	2,173	0.1129%
1958	154	2,155	0.114%
1959	156	2,177	0.1146%
1960	153	2,293	0.121%
1961	159	2,038	0.1079%
1962	155	2,128	0.1159%
1963	155	2,109	0.1175%
1964	159	2,048	0.1163%
1965	151	2,046	0.1251%
1966	138	2,130	0.1364%
1967	129	2,282	0.1504%
1968	117	2,555	0.1702%
1969	123	2,573	0.167%
1970	123	2,694	0.1693%
1971	123	2,611	0.1738%
1972	99	2,839	0.2084%
1973	85	3,144	0.2425%
1974	80	3,216	0.2474%
1975	80	3,321	0.2584%
1976	77	3,476	0.2697%
1977	51	6,081	0.4511%
1978	25	16,354	1.2164%
1979	15	21,344	1.5137%
1980	17	21,025	1.438%
1981	21	19,778	1.3455%
1982	21	19,647	1.3148%
1983	21	19,892	1.348%
1984	20	21,013	1.4126%
1985	19	22,391	1.4752%
1986	17	22,798	1.5103%
1987	16	23,251	1.5236%
1988	14	25,291	1.6229%
1989	14	28,225	1.7491%
1990	14	27,900	1.6833%
1991	12	27,357	1.6784%
1992	12	27,755	1.7389%
1993	8	28,105	1.8027%
1994	9	27,761	1.8089%
1995	6	29,155	1.9345%
1996	6	27,720	1.8513%
1997	6	27,257	1.8429%
1998	6	26,634	1.7795%
1999	5	25,638	1.712%
2000	6	24,652	1.6138%
2001	6	22,842	1.516%
2002	9	21,389	1.4273%
2003	12	19,691	1.2943%
2004	13	18,514	1.2147%
2005	15	17,070	1.1165%
2006	17	15,669	1.0007%
2007	20	14,354	0.9098%
2008	29	12,520	0.8101%
2009	32	10,849	0.7259%
2010	37	9,641	0.669%
2011	42	8,585	0.6026%
2012	49	7,734	0.5427%
2013	54	7,134	0.5011%
2014	57	6,761	0.464%
2015	62	6,238	0.4287%
2016	63	5,729	0.3973%
2017	68	5,312	0.3806%
2018	74	4,791	0.3487%
2019	78	4,585	0.3387%
2020	87	3,975	0.3123%
2021	93	3,811	0.3118%
2022	98	3,615	0.274%

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Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Nicholas

If you like Nicholas, you’ll love these other names like Nicholas.

What names are diminutives of Nicholas?

A diminutive is a name that’s like Nicholas sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Nicholas, but shorter.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Claas	People of victory	Greek
Claes	People of victory	Greek
Claus	A diminutive form of Nicholas.	German
Colas	People of victory	Greek
Cole	Charcoal	English
Klaas	People of victory	Greek
Klaes	People of victory	Greek
Klaus	Victory of the people	German
Nic	People of victory	Greek
Nicholl	People of victory	Greek
Nichols	People of victory	Greek
Nick	A diminutive form of Nicholas.	Japanese
Nickey	People of victory	Greek
Nickie	People of victory	Greek

Nicky	People of victory	Greek
Nico	People of victory	Greek
Nicol	A diminutive form of Nicholas.	Scottish
Nicola	People of victory	Greek
Nicoll	People of victory	Greek
Nicolls	People of victory	Greek
Nikki	People of victory	Greek
Nikky	People of victory	Greek
Niko	People of victory	Greek
Nikos	People of victory	Greek
Nilos	People of victory	Greek
Nils	People of victory	Greek

What names are variants of Nicholas?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Nicholas.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Colet	People of victory	Greek
Colin	Cub	English
Collin	Cub	English

Nicanor	People of victory	Greek
Niccolo	People of victory	Greek
Nichol	People of victory	Greek
Nicholai	People of victory	Greek
Nicholaus	People of victory	Greek
Nichole	People of victory	Greek
Nicklas	People of victory	Greek
Nickolas	People of victory	Greek
Nickolaus	People of victory	Greek
Nicolaas	People of victory	Greek
Nicolai	People of victory	Greek
Nicolao	People of victory	Greek
Nicolas	Victory of the people	Greek
Nicolaus	People of victory	Greek
Nicolay	People of victory	Greek

Nicolet	People of victory	Greek
Nicoli	People of victory	Greek
Nicolis	People of victory	Greek
Nicollet	People of victory	Greek
Nicolo	People of victory	Greek
Nikita	People of victory	Greek
Nikkolas	People of victory	Greek
Nikkolay	People of victory	Greek
Niklaas	People of victory	Greek
Niklas	People of victory	Greek
Niklos	People of victory	Greek
Nikolai	People of victory	Greek
Nikolas	People of victory	Greek
Nikolaus	People of victory	Greek
Nikolay	People of victory	Greek

Nikolos	People of victory	Greek

What names sound like Nicholas?

If you like how Nicholas sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Nicholas.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Douglas	Black river	Scottish
Nicodemus	People's victory	Greek
Nigellus	Champion	Irish
Nikhil	Whole, all	Indian (Sanskrit)
Nikifor	Carrying Victory	Bulgarian
Silas	Man of the forest	Latin

What names are similar to Nicholas?

Find a name that’s like Nicholas, but just a little bit different.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Alexander	Defender of man	Greek
Anthony	Unknown meaning	Latin
Benjamin	A favorite son	Hebrew
Dominic	Of the Lord	Latin
Edward	Wealthy guard	English
Henry	Home ruler	English
John	God is gracious	Hebrew
Roman	One from Rome	Latin

Sebastian	Venerable or honorable	Greek
William	A willing protector	German

Lists With Nicholas

Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Nicholas.

Siblings of Nicholas

Mamas with kids named Nicholas also have kids with these names.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Michael	Who is Like God?	Hebrew
Hazel	Hazelnut tree	English
Kristian	Follower of Christ	Scandinavian
Trinity	The Holy Trinity	English

Share Your Thoughts

11 Comments

Jennifer Feb 21 at 1:41 pm

I’ve always liked the name, and as a bonus, it has a strong meaning. I like that it can be shortened or left long depending on age, company, and preference.

Reply
Harvey Feb 11 at 11:13 am

We chose it because it is my husbands middle name, and also great relative on my side. We have to keep names in the family. I like how normal and a bit whimsical it is. No one has to hear it a second time to understand it, especially older people. My husband does not like the nicknames that come from it and refuses to say them, but I don’t mind them. It makes me think of that scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, when they introduce the cousins “Nick, Nick, Nick, Nikki…” haha

Reply
BINGANISIZE Jan 23 at 10:07 am

All Nicholas’ are always loyal in relationship

Reply
Yelena Jan 29 at 12:15 pm

It actually came to me in my dream. We knew we were pregnant already but didn’t know the gender yet. I had a dream that I had a son named Nicholas. When I woke up, I asked my husband if he approves of the name and he agreed right away.

Reply
Nicholas Aug 31 at 10:29 am

It is a great name for a special kid

Reply
Kate Sleeth Jun 18 at 4:41 pm

I like the sound of it, the meaning and it’s a family name.

Reply
Lauren Jun 9 at 11:39 am

Love the name

In agreement with Daddy

Sounds traditional and reminds me of Xmas St. Nick!

Reply
Susan Mar 29 at 12:46 pm

I like using Nick for short

Reply
Maribel Mar 13 at 10:26 am

From a family member cuz they like that name

Reply
Raven Apr 28 at 9:16 am

Nicholas was named after Nicholas Cage thanks 2 his Sperm Donor

Reply
Kathleen Sep 8 at 6:06 pm

We were going with a classical name and my husband and I both made lists of our favorite names and it was on both of lists.

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Nicholas