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Nikita

♂ Boy

Pronounced ni-KEE-tah /nɪˈki.tɑ/High

Meaning: Russian masculine name from Greek Aniketos, 'unconquered, unconquerable'High

In 30 seconds: Unconquerable, with a translation problem: Nikita is a Russian boys' name — Greek 'undefeated' — that Elton John and a French assassin film taught the West to hear as feminine. Khrushchev would object.
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Origin HighRussian, Greek
MeaningRussian masculine name from Greek Aniketos, 'unconquered, unconquerable'
U.S. rank (2024)#3430 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births34 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2008
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,865

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200819592024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Nikita descends from Greek Aniketos, 'unconquered', through the Orthodox saint Nicetas — a Russian masculine staple borne by Khrushchev, hockey's Nikita Kucherov, and centuries of village registries. Western pop (Elton John's song, Luc Besson's La Femme Nikita) re-gendered the sound abroad.

In the U.S. it appears for both sexes, the masculine use carrying the Russian original. Unconquered either way.

Did you know? Nikita Khrushchev banged his shoe at the UN (by legend), and decades later Elton John's 'Nikita' serenaded a Cold War border guard — one masculine Russian name, two very different Cold War cameos.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Nikita — etymology

Variations

NikitasMykytaNicetas

Nicknames

NikKita

Famous Bearers

  • ★Nikita Khrushchev (1894–1971)
    Soviet leader during the Cold War's tensest decade.
  • ★Nikita Kucherov (1993–present)
    Russian NHL winger, two-time Stanley Cup champion.

If you like Nikita…

Dimitri— the fellow Russian classic the West knows
Mikhail— the archangel-name companion of the same registry
Pavel— another bedrock Russian boys' staple
Nicola— a fellow Greek choice
Stefano— the same classic feel

Browse the whole category: All Russian names →  ·  All Greek names →  ·  All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nikita mean?

Nikita comes from Greek Aniketos and means 'unconquered'.

How do you pronounce Nikita?

It's said ni-KEE-tah /nɪˈki.tɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Nikita a boy or girl name?

In Russia Nikita is a boy's name; Western pop culture pushed it feminine abroad. This page covers the masculine use.

How popular is Nikita?

Nikita is rare for U.S. boys and a staple in Russia.