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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nikolay

Nikolay

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Nikolay

Pronounced nih-koh-LY /ˌnɪ.koʊˈlaɪ/Medium

Meaning: Russian form of Nicholas — from Greek nike, 'victory', plus laos, 'people' — 'victory of the people'Medium

In 30 seconds: Victory of the people: Nikolay is the Russian Nicholas — 'victory of the people'. Stately, classic, and warm.
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Origin HighGreek, Russian
MeaningRussian form of Nicholas — from Greek nike, 'victory', plus laos, 'people' — 'victory of the people'
U.S. rank (2024)#5172 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births19 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2010
Total births (all-time)≈ 492

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201019922024

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

Nikolay is the Russian form of Nicholas — from Greek nike, 'victory', plus laos, 'people' — 'victory of the people' (St Nicholas). A stately, classic name across Russia (Tsar Nikolay II; writers Gogol and Nekrasov); nickname Kolya.

In the U.S. it appears in Russian families. Rare, victory-of-the-people at the root, and stately.

Did you know? Nicholas means 'victory of the people' (Greek nike + laos; St Nicholas, the origin of Santa Claus) — Nikolay is the Russian form (Tsar Nikolay; writer Nikolay Gogol).
Overall data confidence 80%
Behind the Name — Nikolai — Russian form

Variations

NicholasNikolaiNikola

Nicknames

Kolya

Famous Bearers

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If you like Nikolay…

Nikolai— a fellow spelling
Nicholas— the English form
Nikola— the Slavic form
Nikolas— a companion spelling

Explore names like Nikolay

By themegreeksaintvictoryrussian
By meaningVictory

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nikolay mean?

Nikolay is the Russian Nicholas — Greek 'victory of the people'.

How do you pronounce Nikolay?

It's said nih-koh-LY /ˌnɪ.koʊˈlaɪ/ — three syllables, stress on the last.

Is Nikolay a boy or girl name?

Nikolay is a boy's name.

How popular is Nikolay?

Nikolay is a rare name in the U.S.

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