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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nico

Nico

♀ Girl

Pronounced NEE-koh /ˈni.koʊ/High

Meaning: Short form of Nicole/Nicola — Greek Nikolaos, nike, 'victory', plus laos, 'people'Medium

In 30 seconds: Cool, crisp victory: Nico pets Nicole — 'victory of the people' — into a sleek, unisex short form. Effortless and chic (think the singer Nico).
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Origin MediumGreek
MeaningShort form of Nicole/Nicola — Greek Nikolaos, nike, 'victory', plus laos, 'people'
U.S. rank (2025)#4633 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births30 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,028

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200919672025

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

Nico is a short form of Nicole or Nicola — from Greek Nikolaos, 'victory of the people' (nike, 'victory', plus laos, 'people'). Used for both sexes, it's sleek and modern; the singer Nico made it stylishly feminine.

It registers thinly for girls. Rare, people's-victory at the root, and chic.

Did you know? Nico, the iconic Velvet Underground singer, made the name famous for women — it shortens Nicole/Nicola, Greek 'victory of the people'.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name — Nicole — root etymology

Variations

NicoleNicolaNiko

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Nico (1938-1988)
    German singer and model who collaborated with The Velvet Underground and had a solo avant-garde career
  • ★Nico Parker (2004-)
    British actress who appeared in Dumbo (2019) and the TV series The Last of Us

If you like Nico…

Nicole— a name it shortens
Nicola— the other name it shortens
Cleo— a fellow short chic name
Coco— a companion stylish nickname-name

Explore names like Nico

By themegreekunisexnickname-name
By meaningVictory

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nico mean?

Nico shortens Nicole/Nicola, Greek for 'victory of the people'.

How do you pronounce Nico?

It's said NEE-koh /ˈni.koʊ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nico a boy or girl name?

Nico is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Nico?

Nico is a rare name for girls in the U.S.

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