Nikos

♂ Boy

Pronounced NEE-kos /ˈni.kɔs/Medium

Meaning: A Greek pet form of Nikolaos (Nicholas) — from Greek nike, 'victory', plus laos, 'the people'; 'victory of the people'Medium

In 30 seconds: Victory of the people: Nikos pets Nikolaos (Nicholas) — 'victory of the people'. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'NEE-kos').

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Origin MediumGreek

MeaningA Greek pet form of Nikolaos (Nicholas) — from Greek nike, 'victory', plus laos, 'the people'; 'victory of the people'

U.S. rank (2024)#6352 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births14 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2009

Total births (all-time)≈ 869

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

Nikos is a Greek pet form of Nikolaos (Nicholas) — from Greek nike, 'victory', plus laos, 'the people' — 'victory of the people'. A crisp, classic Greek name (the writer Nikos Kazantzakis; said 'NEE-kos'; the full name is Nikolaos).

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

Did you know? Nicholas means 'victory of the people' (Greek nike, 'victory', plus laos, 'the people') — Nikos is its crisp Greek pet form, classic and warm (the writer Nikos Kazantzakis; said 'NEE-kos').

Overall data confidence 65%

Behind the Name — Nikos — root etymology

Variations

NikolaosNikoNico

Nicknames

Niko

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nikos…

Niko— a fellow short form

Nico— a kin Nico- boys' name

Nikolas— the fuller form

Christos— shares the -os ending

Georgios— echoes that soft -os sound

Explore names like Nikos

By themegreek

By meaningVictory

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nikos mean?

Nikos pets Nikolaos (Nicholas) — Greek 'victory of the people'.

How do you pronounce Nikos?

It's said NEE-kos /ˈni.kɔs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nikos a boy or girl name?

Nikos is a boy's name.

How popular is Nikos?

Nikos is a rare name in the U.S.