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Nicolaas

♂ Boy

Pronounced nee-koh-LAHS /ˌniː.koʊˈlɑːs/Medium

Meaning: The Dutch form of Nicholas, from the Greek Nikolaos, 'victory of the people' (nike, 'victory,' and laos, 'people'). A traditional saint's name in the Low Countries.Medium

In 30 seconds: A stately Dutch classic: Nicolaas is the Dutch form of Nicholas, 'victory of the people' (said 'nee-koh-LAHS'). Traditional and warm.

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Origin MediumDutch, Greek

MeaningThe Dutch form of Nicholas, from the Greek Nikolaos, 'victory of the people' (nike, 'victory,' and laos, 'people'). A traditional saint's name in the Low Countries.

U.S. rank (2017)#10466 ↘ Falling

2017 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1996

Total births (all-time)≈ 398

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

Nicolaas is the Dutch form of Nicholas, from Greek Nikolaos, 'victory of the people.' Long tied to Saint Nicholas, it carries centuries of tradition in the Netherlands — rare in the U.S. (said 'nee-koh-LAHS').

In the U.S. it appears extremely rarely, mostly in Dutch-heritage families. Rare, classic, and rooted.

Did you know? Nicolaas is simply the Dutch spelling of Nicholas — from the Greek for 'victory of the people' — and the name behind Sinterklaas, the Dutch Saint Nicholas (said 'nee-koh-LAHS').

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Nicolaas — Dutch form of Nicholas / Greek Nikolaos, 'victory of the people'

Variations

NicholasNiklaasNikolaas

Nicknames

NicoKlaas

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nicolaas…

Nicholas— the English form of the same name

Nikolai— a like Nikolaos form

Niels— a like Dutch traditional pick

Nikkolas— shares the -as ending

Nikolas— shares Nicolaas's Greek roots

Explore names like Nicolaas

By themeclassic saint traditional dutch

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nicolaas mean?

Nicolaas is the Dutch form of Nicholas, from the Greek for 'victory of the people.'

How do you pronounce Nicolaas?

It's said nee-koh-LAHS /ˌniː.koʊˈlɑːs/ — three syllables, stress on the last.

Is Nicolaas a boy or girl name?

Nicolaas is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Nicolaas?

Nicolaas is an extremely rare name for boys in the U.S.