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    The first name Nicola

    A unisex name from Greek.

    Pronounced /nɪˈkoʊlə/ 3 syllables Unisex Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Greek origin

    A feminine version of Nicholas, first used in the 20th century.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 5 girls were named Nicola, making it the 4,201st most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 629 births (#87).

    0350700 1996200020052010201520202025
    4,982
    babies named Nicola, 1996–2025
    #4,201
    rank in 2025
    1996
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Nicola with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Nicola at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 28 boys born in the United States were named Nicola, the 3,920th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1972, when 183 were.

    0100200 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    8,090
    babies named Nicola since 1880
    #3,920
    rank in 2025
    1972
    peak year

    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.

    Nicola in other languages

    Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary

    妮古拉
    Nīgǔlā
    Chinese
    Nikola
    Czech, also Nikol
    Nielsine
    Danish, also Nikoline
    Nicole
    French
    Nicole
    German
    Nikoletta
    Hungarian
    Nicoletta
    Italian
    Nicolasa
    Spanish

    Nicknames and spellings

    Nicknames for Nicola

    Other spellings and forms

    • Nichola

    Famous people named Nicola

    45 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Nicola Sturgeon
      First Minister of Scotland from 2014 to 2023
    • Nicola Peltz
      American actress, born 1995
    • Nicola Olyslagers
      Australian athlete, born 1996
    • Nicola Adams
      British boxer, born 1982
    • Nicola Walker
      British actress, born 1970
    • Nicola Griffith
      British-American writer (b. 1960)
    • Nicola Roberts
      British singer and musician, born 1985
    • Nicola White
      British field hockey player, born 1988
    • Nicola Sanders
      British track and field athlete, born 1982
    • Nicola Fairbrother
      British judoka, born 1970
    • Nicola Pellow
      British computer scientist, born 2000
    • Nicola Boem
      Cyclist, born 1989

    More Greek unisex names

    All 347 names of Greek origin

    Questions

    What does the name Nicola mean?
    A feminine version of Nicholas, first used in the 20th century.
    What is the origin of the name Nicola?
    A feminine version of Nicholas, first used in the 20th century.
    How popular is the name Nicola?
    In 2025, 5 girls born in England and Wales were named Nicola, ranking 4,201st. Its peak was 1996, with 629 births.
    What are nicknames for Nicola?
    Common nicknames for Nicola include Nic.
    Is Nicola a boy's or a girl's name?
    Both. Of the 8,090 US babies named Nicola since 1880, 63% were girls and 37% boys.
    When was Nicola most popular?
    1972 in the United States, when 183 babies were named Nicola, its highest rank at 762nd.
    How do you pronounce Nicola?
    Nicola is /nɪˈkoʊlə/, 3 syllables.
    What are other spellings of Nicola?
    Nichola.
    Is Nicola also a surname?
    Yes. Nicola is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.