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The short answer
Nicholas comes from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning "victory of the people," from nike "victory" and laos "people." Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop from Anatolia, is the patron saint of children, sailors and merchants, and the basis for the figure of Santa Claus. Behind the Name notes the name has been common in England since the 12th century and has been borne by five popes and two Russian tsars. It is pronounced NIK-ə-ləs. In the United States it ranked #112 for boys in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name derives Nicholas from the Greek Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), "victory of the people," from νίκη (nike) "victory" and λαός (laos) "people." Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop from Anatolia, was said to have saved a poor man's daughters from destitution; he became the patron saint of children, sailors and merchants, and of Greece and Russia, and formed the basis for Santa Claus (via the Dutch Sinterklaas). The name has been common in England since the 12th century, though it declined somewhat after the Protestant Reformation, and has been borne by five popes and two Russian tsars.
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Greek | nike | victory |
| Greek | laos | people |
Popularity
Nicholas ranked #112 for boys in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration).
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #112 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: Nic, Nick, Nicky, Nik, Colin, Collin, Collyn
Variants: Nickolas, Nikolas
Related names: Nicola, Nichola, Nicolas, Klaus
What the name feels like
Nicholas is a long-established classic: formal enough for professional life, with a wide range of familiar nicknames (Nick, Nicky, Colin) that let it flex casual as needed.
Style tags: classic, saint's name, formal with casual nicknames, long-running popularity
Editorial interpretation: This style read is editorial opinion, not a documented fact from Behind the Name or the SSA data.
If you like this name
Names sharing Nicholas's Greek roots, its sound, or its long history as an English classic.
Similar by sound
- Nicolas
- Nikolas
- Nicola
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nicholas mean?
Nicholas means "victory of the people." It comes from the Greek Nikolaos, from nike "victory" and laos "people."
Is Nicholas a popular name?
Yes. Nicholas ranked #112 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are nicknames for Nicholas?
Common English nicknames listed by Behind the Name include Nick, Nicky, Nic, Nik, and, less obviously, Colin and Collin.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Nicholas — supports etymology, pronunciation, history, nicknames, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
