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Nikola

♂ Boy

Pronounced NIK-uh-luh /ˈnɪk.ə.lə/Low

Meaning: a Slavic and South Slavic form of Nicholas, from Greek 'Nikolaos', combining 'nike' ('victory') and 'laos' ('people'), meaning 'victory of the people'Low

In 30 seconds: Nikola is a Slavic form of Nicholas, from the Greek Nikolaos, which joins 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people) to mean 'victory of the people'.
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Origin LowGreek, Slavic
Meaninga Slavic and South Slavic form of Nicholas, from Greek 'Nikolaos', combining 'nike' ('victory') and 'laos' ('people'), meaning 'victory of the people'
U.S. rank (2024)#1594 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births108 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2020
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,341

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202019602024

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

History & Origin

Nikola carries the Greek Nikolaos into the Slavic and South Slavic world, keeping the meaning 'victory of the people' from 'nike', victory, and 'laos', people. It is a deeply traditional name across the Balkans and Eastern Europe, often tied to Saint Nicholas. The form differs from Western Nicholas mainly in its stress and ending.

Its most famous bearer is the Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), whose work shaped the modern alternating-current electricity system. That association lends the name a strong streak of ingenuity.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Nikola is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 55%
Behind the Name - Nikola — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Nikola Tesla (1856–1943)
    Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system.

If you like Nikola…

Nicholas— The Western form of the same Greek Nikolaos that Nikola translates.
Nikolai— The Russian form of the name sharing the 'victory of the people' meaning.
Nicolas— The French and Spanish form from the same Greek root.
Niko— A short form of Nikola used across the same Slavic regions.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nikola mean?

Nikola is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Uncertain tradition.

How do you pronounce Nikola?

It's commonly said NIK-uh-luh /ˈnɪk.ə.lə/.

Is Nikola a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Nikola is used as a boy name.

How popular is Nikola?

In 2024, Nikola ranked #1594 in the U.S. for boys, with 108 births recorded.