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Nikki
Pronounced NIK-ee /ΛnΙͺk.i/High
Meaning: Pet form of Nicole and Nicola, from Greek Nikolaos, 'victory of the people'High
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Nikki is the high-energy pet form of Nicole and Nicola, descendants of Greek Nikolaos β 'victory of the people' β via St. Nicholas. It peaked as both nickname and standalone in the 1970s and 80s, the era of Nicole's American reign.
Bearers run the cultural gamut: poet Nikki Giovanni, politician Nikki Haley, rocker Nikki Sixx (a man β the name kept a foot in both camps). As a birth-certificate name it is now rare, with a thoroughly retro-cool flavor.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- β
Nikki Giovanni (1943β2024)American poet and central voice of the Black Arts Movement.
- β
Nikki Haley (1972βpresent)American politician, former governor of South Carolina and UN ambassador.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Nikki mean?
Nikki is a pet form of Nicole and Nicola, from Greek Nikolaos, meaning 'victory of the people'.
How do you pronounce Nikki?
It's said NIK-ee /ΛnΙͺk.i/ β two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Nikki a boy or girl name?
Nikki is mainly a girl's name in the U.S., though it has occasionally served men as a nickname.
How popular is Nikki?
Nikki is rare on birth certificates today after its disco-era heyday.