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Nicholas
Fact sheet
- Name
- Nicholas
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 3
Nicholas is the English variant of the name Nikolaus and means 'victory of the people'. This male first name is widespread throughout the English-speaking world and is also found as a surname.
What does the name Nicholas mean?
Nicholas, the English form of Nikolaus, carries the meaning 'victory of the people'. The name is very popular in the English-speaking world and is also used as a family name. Common short forms include Nic and Nick. A prominent bearer of this name is the American author Nicholas Sparks. A less common spelling is Nickolas. Other variants include Nicolaas (Dutch), Nicolas (French, Spanish), as well as the German and Scandinavian forms Niclas, Nicklas, and Niklas.
Where does the name Nicholas come from?
The name Nicholas has its roots in the Greek name Nikolaos, which is formed from the ancient Greek terms nike for 'victory' and laos for 'people'.
How do you pronounce Nicholas?
The pronunciation of Nicholas is three syllables and melodious. In German, the name is usually pronounced as 'Ni-cho-las' [ˈnɪkələs] or [ˈnɪkolaːs]. It begins with a short I sound that conveys a direct address. The middle syllable flows smoothly, and the final s adds a fine accent. Nicholas has a classic and international sound - a name with a harmonious structure and clear presence.
When is the name day of Nicholas?
The most significant name day for Nicholas is December 6, when Saint Nicholas of Myra is honored.
Popularity
In Germany, Nicholas is among the most popular first names. Currently, it ranks 948th on the list of the most common male baby names. Its best placement was in 1988 at 193rd. In the last ten years, Nicholas has been given as a first name about 540 times, placing it 833rd in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 818th.
Nicknames & pet names
Cola / Cole / Coles / Collie / Nic / Nic-laus / Nich / Nichi / Nicho / Nichy / Nici / Nick / Nicki / Nicky / Nico / Nixi
Similar first names
Famous people
- Nicholas "Nick" Mayson (drummer of Pink Floyd)
- Nicholas "Nicky" Daniel Harper (character from the series "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn")
- Nicholas "Nik" David Kershaw (musician)
- Nicholas Armstrong (English cricketer)
- Nicholas Barker (English drummer)
- Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne (singer of the band Westlife)
- Nicholas Bishop (actor)
- Nicholas Burns (British actor)
- Nicholas Cage (actor)
- Nicholas Cheng (American actor)
- Nicholas Clagett (bishop from Britain)
- Nicholas Costantini (Italian football player)
- Nicholas Cuccia (actor from the USA)
- Nicholas DiChario (* 1960), American writer
- Nicholas Felton (bishop from Britain)
- Nicholas Ferrar (English scholar)
- Nicholas Galanin (American artist)
- Nicholas Gene Carter (singer from America (of the Backstreet Boys))
- Nicholas Georgiade (American actor)
- Nicholas Gilbert (American cricketer)
Frequently asked questions about the name Nicholas
What does the name Nicholas mean?
The name Nicholas means 'victory of the people' and has its roots in the Greek name Nikolaos.
How is the name Nicholas pronounced?
Nicholas is typically pronounced as 'Nikolass', with the 'ch' sounding soft.
What nicknames are there for Nicholas?
Common nicknames for Nicholas include Nic, Nick, Nicky, and Nico. More creative variants like Cola or Collie are also possible.
In which countries is the name Nicholas common?
Nicholas is especially popular in the English-speaking world, but it also has variants in other languages, such as Nicolas in French and Niklas in German.