Nico

♂ Boy

Pronounced NEE-koh /ˈniː.koʊ/High

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

In 30 seconds: A sleek short form of Nicholas meaning 'victory of the people,' widely used in Italy, Spain, and Germany as a standalone name. Cool, crisp, and international — Nico is one of the most stylish two-syllable boys' names today.

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Origin HighGreek, Italian

MeaningVictory of the people; short form of Nicholas (Greek Nikolaos: nike + laos)

U.S. rank (2025)#174 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births2,066 boys (0.12% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 21,280

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

Nico is a short form of Nicholas (and its various European equivalents: Nikolas, Nikolai, Niccolò, Nicolás), ultimately from the Greek Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), composed of nikē ('victory') and laos ('people'). The name has been used as an independent given name in Italy, Spain, and German-speaking countries for many decades.

Nico has been rising in the United States as a standalone given name since the 1990s and 2000s. It now ranks in the top 200 boys' names. Its minimalist two-syllable form, international currency, and strong meaning make it one of the most fashionable short names for boys today.

Did you know? In Germany and Italy, Nico has long been a full given name in its own right — not just a nickname. German-born Velvet Underground chanteuse Nico (Christa Päffgen, 1938–1988) made the name iconic in music.

Variations

NikoNickNicolasNicholas

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

★Nico (Christa Päffgen) (1938–1988)
German-born musician, model, and actress; vocalist on the Velvet Underground debut album.
★Nico Rosberg (b. 1985)
German Formula One world champion (2016).

If you like Nico…

Leo— short, classic international boy's name with the same effortless cool

Luca— Italian short form equally popular across the world

Felix— crisp two-syllable classic with the same European flair

Draco— shares Nico's Greek roots

Rico— echoes that soft -co sound

Explore names like Nico

By meaningVictory

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nico mean?

Nico means 'victory of the people' as a short form of Nicholas, from Greek nikē (victory) and laos (people).

How do you pronounce Nico?

Nico is pronounced NEE-koh (/ˈniː.koʊ/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Nico a boy or girl name?

Nico is used predominantly as a boy's name, though it is occasionally used for girls.

How popular is Nico?

Nico has been rising in the U.S. since the 2000s and is now in the top 200 boys' names.