Klaus

♂ Boy

Pronounced KLOWSS /klaʊs/High

Meaning: Victory of the people; German short form of Nikolaus (Greek Nikolaos: nike victory + laos people)High

In 30 seconds: The German short form of Nikolaus meaning 'victory of the people.' From Santa Claus (Saint Nikolaus) to filmmaker Werner Herzog to philosopher Klaus Klages — Klaus is one of Germany's most distinguished one-syllable names.

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Origin HighGerman, Greek

MeaningVictory of the people; German short form of Nikolaus (Greek Nikolaos: nike victory + laos people)

U.S. rank (2025)#2245 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births63 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,471

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Klaus is the German short form of Nikolaus, from Greek Nikolaos (victory of the people: nike + laos). Saint Nicholas of Myra (c.270–343 CE) — whose name became Santa Claus through Dutch Sinterklaas — made Nikolaus/Klaus central to European Christian culture.

Klaus is used primarily in German, Scandinavian, and German American communities. Its 2024 ranking of #2405 for boys reflects its use as a distinctive European name in the United States.

Did you know? Santa Claus gets his name from the Dutch 'Sinterklaas' — a contraction of Sint Nikolaas (Saint Nicholas). When Dutch settlers brought Sinterklaas to America, the name evolved into 'Santa Claus,' making Klaus literally the name behind the world's most famous gift-giver.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Klaus — German/Greek etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

NikolausClaus

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Klaus Kinski (1926-1991)
German actor known for films with Werner Herzog
★Klaus Meine (1948-)
German lead singer of the rock band Scorpions

If you like Klaus…

Nikolai— Russian form of Nikolaus sharing the same Greek root

Niklaus— the Scandinavian spelling of the same Nicholas root

Lars— Scandinavian short form of Laurentius with the same crisp Nordic feel

Sven— Scandinavian one-syllable masculine name with the same Germanic character

Explore names like Klaus

By themegreek german one-syllable victory

By meaningVictory

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Klaus mean?

Klaus means 'victory of the people,' the German short form of Nikolaus (Greek: nike victory + laos people).

How do you pronounce Klaus?

It's said KLOWSS /klaʊs/ — one syllable, rhyming with 'house.'

Is Klaus a boy or girl name?

Klaus is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Klaus?

Klaus ranked #2405 for U.S. boys in 2024.