Home › Baby Names Directory › Nicolas

Nicolas

♂ Boy

Pronounced NIK-uh-lus /ˈnɪk.ə.ləs/High

Meaning: Victory of the peopleHigh

In 30 seconds: The classic Greek name meaning 'victory of the people,' borne by Saint Nicholas — the inspiration for Santa Claus. Nicolas is the French/Spanish spelling of Nicholas.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighGreek
MeaningVictory of the people
Peak year2003
Total births (all-time)≈ 85,430

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200318822017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Nicolas is a Romance-language spelling of Nicholas, which derives from the Greek Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), composed of nikē ('victory') and laos ('people'). The name was widespread in medieval Europe due to the enormous popularity of Saint Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century bishop celebrated for his charity. The Nicolas spelling is standard in French and Spanish.

Nicolas has been used in English-speaking countries as an alternative to Nicholas, offering a slightly Continental flair. It remains popular across the French- and Spanish-speaking world. In the United States it has ranked in the top 200 boys' names for many years, appealing to families with French, Spanish, or Latin American heritage.

Did you know? Saint Nicholas of Myra (4th century) was so generous to the poor that his legend evolved, via Dutch Sinterklaas, into the modern Santa Claus tradition.

Variations

NicholasNikolasNikolásNico

Nicknames

NickNicoCole

Famous Bearers

  • ★Nicolas Cage (b. 1964)
    American actor and Academy Award winner for <em>Leaving Las Vegas</em>.
  • ★Nicolas Sarkozy (b. 1955)
    French politician, President of France 2007–2012.

If you like Nicolas…

Nicholas— same name, English spelling
Nico— short form of the same root name
Dominic— classic Latin-origin name with a similar regal feel
Sebastian— long elegant classic with Latin/Greek roots

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nicolas mean?

Nicolas means 'victory of the people,' from Greek nikē (victory) and laos (people). It is the French and Spanish spelling of Nicholas.

How do you pronounce Nicolas?

Nicolas is pronounced NIK-uh-lus (/ˈnɪk.ə.ləs/) — three syllables with stress on the first.

Is Nicolas a boy or girl name?

Nicolas is used exclusively as a boy's name.

How popular is Nicolas?

Nicolas has been a steady top-200 U.S. boys' name and is widely popular across France, Spain, and Latin America.