Nicholas Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Nicholas is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Nicholas?
Nicholas is spelled N-I-C-H-O-L-A-S. The name has 8 letters.
Nicholas at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Nicholas means “victory of the people.”
- Origin
- Nicholas is commonly associated with the Greek name Nikolaos, which may derive from the Greek words meaning “victory” and “people.”
- Pronunciation
- nik-uh-luhs · 3 syllables
Nicholas Popularity in 2025
Rank#10,917
Recorded Births8
Rank#112
Recorded Births3,115
- Girls usage rose 2,675 places to #10,917 and recorded 2 more births compared with 2022.
- Boys usage rose 5 places to #112 and recorded 77 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Nicholas Mean?
Nicholas means “victory of the people.”
Origin: Nicholas is commonly associated with the Greek name Nikolaos, which may derive from the Greek words meaning “victory” and “people.”
How Do You Pronounce Nicholas?
Pronunciationnik-uh-luhs
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Nicholas?
- History
- Historical texts connect the name Nicholas to early Christian saints and its use has persisted in Western Europe.
- Cultural notes
- Nicholas is culturally associated with Saint Nicholas, a historical figure known for generosity and gift-giving in Western Christian traditions.
Nicholas Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2012 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 8 | #10,917 |
| 2025 | Boys | 3,115 | #112 |
| 2024 | Boys | 3,038 | #117 |
| 2023 | Boys | 3,261 | #109 |
| 2022 | Girls | 6 | #13,592 |
| 2022 | Boys | 3,643 | #97 |
| 2021 | Boys | 3,866 | #92 |
| 2020 | Girls | 5 | #15,088 |
| 2020 | Boys | 4,065 | #87 |
| 2019 | Girls | 8 | #11,356 |
| 2019 | Boys | 4,642 | #78 |
| 2018 | Boys | 4,847 | #74 |
| 2017 | Girls | 6 | #14,124 |
| 2017 | Boys | 5,372 | #68 |
| 2016 | Girls | 6 | #14,331 |
| 2016 | Boys | 5,765 | #63 |
| 2015 | Girls | 7 | #13,006 |
| 2015 | Boys | 6,263 | #62 |
| 2014 | Girls | 12 | #8,966 |
| 2014 | Boys | 6,779 | #57 |
| 2013 | Girls | 13 | #8,580 |
| 2013 | Boys | 7,147 | #54 |
| 2012 | Girls | 8 | #12,199 |
| 2012 | Boys | 7,742 | #49 |
When Was Nicholas Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1995 · Boys
29,160 recorded births
National rank #7
1989 · Boys
28,230 recorded births
National rank #14
1993 · Boys
28,114 recorded births
National rank #8
1990 · Boys
27,913 recorded births
National rank #14
Where Nicholas Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| NJ | #39 | 192 |
| NY | #52 | 310 |
| CT | #60 | 57 |
| RI | #61 | 16 |
| DE | #68 | 14 |
| PA | #70 | 166 |
| IL | #88 | 132 |
| CA | #93 | 425 |