Nikolai Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Nikolai is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Nikolai?
Nikolai is spelled N-I-K-O-L-A-I. The name has 7 letters.
Nikolai at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Nikolai is derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning “victory of the people.”
- Origin
- Nikolai is commonly associated with Slavic languages and cultures as a variant of the Greek name Nikolaos.
- Pronunciation
- nik-oh-LIE · 3 syllables
Nikolai Popularity in 2025
Rank#605
Recorded Births469
- Boys usage fell 12 places to #605 and recorded 15 fewer 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 Nikolai Mean?
Nikolai is derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning “victory of the people.”
Origin: Nikolai is commonly associated with Slavic languages and cultures as a variant of the Greek name Nikolaos.
How Do You Pronounce Nikolai?
Pronunciationnik-oh-LIE
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Nikolai?
- History
- Nikolai is used historically in Slavic countries and has been borne by various notable figures in Russian and Eastern European history.
Nikolai Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 469 | #605 |
| 2024 | Boys | 484 | #593 |
| 2023 | Boys | 470 | #602 |
| 2022 | Boys | 491 | #582 |
| 2021 | Boys | 622 | #480 |
| 2020 | Boys | 521 | #545 |
| 2019 | Boys | 554 | #514 |
| 2018 | Boys | 614 | #473 |
| 2017 | Boys | 573 | #507 |
| 2016 | Boys | 639 | #480 |
| 2015 | Boys | 629 | #474 |
| 2014 | Boys | 516 | #539 |
| 2013 | Boys | 436 | #585 |
| 2012 | Boys | 421 | #601 |
| 2011 | Boys | 365 | #640 |
| 2010 | Boys | 313 | #732 |
| 2009 | Boys | 299 | #760 |
| 2008 | Boys | 231 | #899 |
| 2007 | Boys | 208 | #949 |
| 2006 | Boys | 163 | #1,081 |
| 2005 | Boys | 162 | #1,035 |
| 2004 | Boys | 141 | #1,124 |
| 2003 | Boys | 124 | #1,190 |
| 2002 | Boys | 116 | #1,200 |
When Was Nikolai 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.
2016 · Boys
639 recorded births
National rank #480
2015 · Boys
629 recorded births
National rank #474
2021 · Boys
622 recorded births
National rank #480
2018 · Boys
614 recorded births
National rank #473
Where Nikolai 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 |
|---|---|---|
| NM | #236 | 8 |
| NE | #335 | 7 |
| CT | #382 | 7 |
| CO | #441 | 13 |
| UT | #441 | 10 |
| PA | #442 | 23 |
| FL | #443 | 42 |
| WA | #474 | 15 |