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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nicola

Nicola

♂ Boy

Pronounced NEE-koh-lah /ˈni.ko.lɑ/High

Meaning: Italian masculine form of Nicholas, from Greek Nikolaos, 'victory of the people'High

In 30 seconds: A trap for Anglophone ears and a classic for Italian ones: Nicola is a man's name in Italy — Nicholas himself — however British playgrounds use it. Victory of the people, espresso included.
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Origin HighItalian, Greek
MeaningItalian masculine form of Nicholas, from Greek Nikolaos, 'victory of the people'
U.S. rank (2025)#3920 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births28 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1972
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,009

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197219082025

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

Nicola is the Italian masculine Nicholas — Greek Nikolaos, 'victory of the people' — the saint of Bari whose relics make southern Italy a Nicola heartland. Sculptor Nicola Pisano helped launch Italian art's great chain; Britain, meanwhile, used Nicola as a girls' name, creating the name's split personality.

In the U.S. the masculine use is rare and unmistakably Italian-heritage. The nickname Nico resolves all ambiguity in one cool stroke.

Did you know? Italy's Nicola and Andrea read feminine to English speakers but are firmly masculine at home — a cross-cultural banana peel that trips up databases yearly.
Overall data confidence 92%
Behind the Name — Nicola — Italian masculine form

Variations

NiccolòNikolaNicholas

Nicknames

NicoNickLino

Famous Bearers

  • ★Nicola Pisano (1220–1284)
    Italian sculptor whose pulpits helped begin the artistic renewal that led to the Renaissance.

If you like Nicola…

Nikola— the Slavic brother form Tesla made famous
Niccolo— the fellow Italian Nicholas of Machiavelli
Giovanni— a companion Italian bedrock classic
Matteo— the modern Italian favorite of American parents

Explore names like Nicola

By themeclassicitalianbiblical-adjacent
By meaningVictory

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nicola mean?

Nicola is the Italian masculine form of Nicholas, Greek for 'victory of the people'.

How do you pronounce Nicola?

In Italian it's NEE-koh-lah /ˈni.ko.lɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nicola a boy or girl name?

In Italy Nicola is a boy's name; Britain has used it for girls. This page covers the masculine Italian use.

How popular is Nicola?

Nicola is rare for boys in the U.S. and traditional in Italy.

💬 Ask Nia