Boy · 13th of 24,088
Nicholas
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
926,036
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1995
Peak Popularity Year
29,217
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Nicholas stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Nicholas has Greek origins, meaning 'victory of the people'. It evolved from Nikolaos in Greek to various forms in Latin and Old French, eventually becoming Nicholas in Middle English. The name is associated with traits of generosity and kindness, largely due to the influence of Saint Nicholas. It has no direct biblical reference outside of its association with the saint. Nicholas has remained a popular name throughout history, especially in Christian cultures.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈnɪkələs/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Nicholas derives from the Greek name 'Nikolaos', which means 'victory of the people'. The name is composed of two elements: 'nikē', meaning 'victory', and 'laos', meaning 'people'.
Meaning
victory of the people
Language Evolution
Nikolaos (Greek), Nicolaus (Latin), Nicholas (Old French), Nicholas (Middle English)
Biblical Background
Nicholas is associated with Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop known for his generosity and later became the inspiration for Santa Claus.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Christian world due to the veneration of Saint Nicholas, especially during the Middle Ages. It has been commonly used in various cultures since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Nick, Nico, Nicky, Nicola
Modern Popularity & Image
Nicholas remains a popular name in many countries and is often associated with kindness and generosity due to its links to Saint Nicholas.
Famous People
Saint Nicholas of Myra, Nicholas II of Russia, Nicholas Sparks, Nicholas Cage
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 29,217 peak births in 1995
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Hampshire
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 22 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 121st of 7545 | 22,672 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 154th of 6773 | 20,090 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 144th of 7552 | 40,871 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 53rd of 10718 | 97,717 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 15th of 16616 | 398,092 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 13th of 24088 | 283,127 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 73rd of 23106 | 58,646 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4018th of 9107 | 92 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 4326th of 9204 | 78 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 5855th of 12526 | 80 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2217th of 19264 | 597 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1371st of 27321 | 1,750 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4448th of 35406 | 484 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 14588th of 30306 | 58 |