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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nicholas

Nicholas

♀ Girl

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

Meaning: From the Greek Nikolaos, 'victory of the people' (nike, 'victory,' + laos, 'people') — the name of St Nicholas, the source of Santa Claus. Used here for a girl, though it is overwhelmingly a boy's name — we flag the cross-sex lean clearly and plainly.Medium

In 30 seconds: A classic Greek name: Nicholas means 'victory of the people' (said 'NIK-uh-lus'). Overwhelmingly a boy's name — we flag the lean.
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Origin MediumGreek
MeaningFrom the Greek Nikolaos, 'victory of the people' (nike, 'victory,' + laos, 'people') — the name of St Nicholas, the source of Santa Claus. Used here for a girl, though it is overwhelmingly a boy's name — we flag the cross-sex lean clearly and plainly.
U.S. rank (2022)#14806 ↘ Falling
2022 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1985
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,139

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198519162022

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

Nicholas comes from the Greek Nikolaos, 'victory of the people' (nike + laos), long a staple boy's name borne by saints, popes, and tsars. Its use here for a girl is very unusual, which we flag clearly and plainly — rare for girls in the U.S. (said 'NIK-uh-lus').

For girls it appears only very rarely, against overwhelming boys' use. Rare, classic, and strong.

Did you know? Nicholas is Greek for 'victory of the people' — the name of St Nicholas, who became Santa Claus. It is overwhelmingly a boy's name; used here for a girl, which we flag clearly and plainly (said 'NIK-uh-lus').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Nicholas — Greek 'victory of the people'; overwhelmingly male; flagged cross-sex

Variations

NicoleNicolaNikolas

Nicknames

NikkiCola

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nicholas…

Nicole— the feminine form of the name
Nicola— a like feminine Nichol- name
Nika— a like Nik- short name
Nixie— a like crisp Nik- pick

Explore names like Nicholas

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nicholas mean?

Nicholas is Greek for 'victory of the people' — the name of St Nicholas, who became Santa Claus.

How do you pronounce Nicholas?

It's said NIK-uh-lus /ˈnɪk.ə.ləs/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nicholas a boy or girl name?

Nicholas is overwhelmingly a boy's name; used here for a girl, which we flag clearly and plainly.

How popular is Nicholas?

Nicholas is very rare for girls, and a classic staple for boys, in the U.S.

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