The first name Nicholas
A boy’s name from Greek meaning “victory”, “people”.
Pronounced /ˈnɪk.ə.ləs/ 3 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Greek origin
Nicholas means “victory”, “people” in Greek.
From Middle English Nicholas, from Old French Nicholas, from Latin Nīcolāus, from Ancient Greek Νικόλαος (Nikólaos), from νίκη (níkē, “victory”) + λαός (laós, “people”).
More names that mean victory.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 234 boys were named Nicholas, making it the 214th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 1,385 births (#52).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Nicholas with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Nicholas at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 3,115 boys born in the United States were named Nicholas, the 112th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1995, when 29,160 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Nicholas in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Nicknames and spellings
Famous people named Nicholas
261 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Nicholas HoultEnglish actor (born 1989)
- Nicholas SparksAmerican writer and novelist, born 1965
- Nicholas Murray ButlerAmerican philosopher, diplomat, and educator (1862-1947)
- Nicholas WintonBritish stockbroker who saved 669 Jewish children during 1938–39 (1909–2015)
- Nicholas RayAmerican film director (1911-1979)
- Nicholas LatifiCanadian racing driver (born 1995)
- Nicholas GalitzineBritish actor (born 1994)
- Nicholas NegroponteAmerican computer scientist (born 1943)
- Nicholas BrendonAmerican actor (1971–2026)
- Theodore Nicholas GillAmerican biologist (1837–1914)
- Nicholas D'AgostoAmerican actor, born 1980
- Nicholas BraunAmerican actor (born 1988)
More Greek boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Nicholas mean?
- Nicholas means “victory”, “people” in Greek.
- What is the origin of the name Nicholas?
- From Middle English Nicholas, from Old French Nicholas, from Latin Nīcolāus, from Ancient Greek Νικόλαος (Nikólaos), from νίκη (níkē, “victory”) + λαός (laós, “people”).
- How popular is the name Nicholas?
- In 2025, 234 boys born in England and Wales were named Nicholas, ranking 214th. Its peak was 1996, with 1,385 births.
- What are nicknames for Nicholas?
- Common nicknames for Nicholas include Colin, Cole, Nick, Niki, Coll, Nicky.
- Is Nicholas a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 929,199 US babies named Nicholas since 1880 were boys.
- When was Nicholas most popular?
- 1995 in the United States, when 29,160 babies were named Nicholas, its highest rank at 7th.
- How do you pronounce Nicholas?
- Nicholas is /ˈnɪk.ə.ləs/, 3 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Nicholas?
- Nicolas, Nickolas, Nikolas and Nicholine.
- Is Nicholas also a surname?
- Yes. Nicholas is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.