Boy · 380th of 24,088
Nikolas
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
23,673
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2004
Peak Popularity Year
1,065
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Nikolas stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Nikolas is of Greek origin, meaning 'victory of the people'. It evolved from the ancient Greek Nikolaos to various forms in different languages. The name carries positive traits associated with generosity and kindness, largely due to the influence of Saint Nicholas. It does not have a biblical background.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/nɪˈkoʊləs/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
Nikolas is derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, which is composed of the elements 'nike' meaning 'victory' and 'laos' meaning 'people'.
Meaning
Victory of the people
Language Evolution
Nikolaos (Ancient Greek), Nicolas (French), Nicholas (English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly due to the veneration of Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop known for his generosity.
Variants & Derivatives
Nicholas, Nicolas, Cole, Nick
Modern Popularity & Image
Nikolas is viewed positively, often associated with kindness and generosity due to its historical connections to Saint Nicholas.
Famous People
Nikolas Tesla, Nikolas Cruz, Nikolas Kiefer
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,065 peak births in 2004
Geographic Spread
Popular across 47 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 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 8 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6464th of 6773 | 6 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5151st of 7552 | 30 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1261st of 10718 | 717 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 531st of 16616 | 5,163 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 380th of 24088 | 12,125 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 595th of 23106 | 5,617 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 27321st of 27321 | 5 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 30690th of 35406 | 10 |