The nameNicolas
Nicolas is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people". The French and Spanish form of Nicholas, it is used across Europe and Latin America.
- Boy's name
- Greek
- Feast day
Meaning
Nicolas comes from the Greek Nikolaos, made of nikē, "victory", and laos, "people".
Origin
Greek. Saint Nicholas of Myra, a 4th century bishop, gave rise to the legend of Santa Claus.
History
Nicolas is a classic in France, Spain (Nicolás) and Latin America. In the United States it reached the top 140.
Nicolas in other languages
Nicholas in English, Nikolaus and Klaus in German, Nicola in Italian, Nicolás in Spanish, Nicolau in Portuguese and Catalan, Mikołaj in Polish, Nikolai in Russian and Niklas in Swedish. The Dutch Sinterklaas, short for Sint Nikolaas, gave the American Santa Claus.
Nicknames for Nicolas
The most common nicknames for Nicolas: Nico, Nick and Nicky.
Did you know?
- Santa Claus comes from Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas in Dutch.
- Nicolaus Copernicus argued that the Earth moves around the Sun in a book published in 1543, the year he died.
- Nicolas was the most popular boys' name in France from 1980 to 1982.
Famous people named Nicolas
- Saint Nicholas of Myra
- Nicolas Cage, actor
- Nicolás Maduro, President of Venezuela
- Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France
Popularity of the name Nicolas
Nicolas in the United States
Nicolas was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 28,308 births over the decade, 28% of all recorded babies named Nicolas. Its rise began around 1975, and it peaked in 2003. Half of all babies named Nicolas in the United States were born before 2003. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 1,955 births a year.
Nicolas in the United Kingdom
Nicolas was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 1,873 births over the decade, 45% of all recorded babies named Nicolas. Half of all babies named Nicolas in the United Kingdom were born before 2014, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 160 births a year on average, against 201 in the five years before.
Nicolas in France
Nicolas in Belgium
Nicolas in Switzerland
Nicolas in Austria
Nicolas in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Nicolas
Names from the same generation as Nicolas, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Nicolas? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Nicolas with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Nicolas side by side with the name of your choice.
Nicolas in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nicolas mean?
Nicolas comes from the Greek Nikolaos, made of nikē, "victory", and laos, "people".
What is the origin of the name Nicolas?
Greek. Saint Nicholas of Myra, a 4th century bishop, gave rise to the legend of Santa Claus.
Is Nicolas a girl's or a boy's name?
Nicolas is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Nicolas?
In 2024, Nicolas was the 184th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 1,992 births.
What are the variants of the name Nicolas?
Variants and related names of Nicolas include Colette, Colin, Coline, Colyne, Nicole, Nicolle, Niels and Nikola.
What are good sibling names for Nicolas?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Melanie, Summer, Selena and Ariana for a sister, Andrés, Peter, Andre and Angelo for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Nicolas?
The most common nicknames for Nicolas are Nico, Nick and Nicky.
Who are famous people named Nicolas?
Saint Nicholas of Myra; Nicolas Cage, actor; Nicolás Maduro, President of Venezuela; Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France.