Nicholas
Peaked at #5 nationally in 1999, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Nicholas has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Nicholas derives from the Greek Nikolaos, formed from nike ("victory") and laos ("people"), together meaning "victory of the people." The name's spread through Europe owes much to Saint Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century bishop whose legendary generosity became the basis for the Santa Claus tradition.
Notable people & culture
Actor Nicolas Cage and singer Nick Jonas are prominent modern bearers, while novelist Nicholas Sparks is known for bestselling romance fiction. Historically, Nicholas II was the last Tsar of Russia before the 1917 revolution. Common short forms include Nick and Nico.
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Nicholas — Girls (United States)
StablePeak rank
#960
in 1985
Last ranked
#14806
in 2022
Years tracked
87
1916–2022
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1916, Nicholas reached its peak popularity for girls in 1985, ranking #960 nationally with 162 babies given the name that year.
Nicholas hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for girls since 2022, when it stood at #14806.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | #14,806 | 6 |
| 2019 | #12,124 | 8 |
| 2017 | #15,412 | 6 |
| 2016 | #15,698 | 6 |
| 2015 | #14,081 | 7 |
| 2014 | #9,393 | 12 |
| 2013 | #8,924 | 13 |
| 2012 | #13,117 | 8 |
Nicholas — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#5
in 1999
Current rank
#118
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Nicholas reached its peak popularity for boys in 1999, ranking #5 nationally with 25,639 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #57 (2014) to #118 (2024) — a 52% drop.
As of 2024, Nicholas ranks #118 nationally for boys, with 3,025 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #118 | 3,025 |
| 2023 | #109 | 3,257 |
| 2022 | #97 | 3,639 |
| 2021 | #92 | 3,862 |
| 2020 | #87 | 4,065 |
| 2019 | #78 | 4,640 |
| 2018 | #74 | 4,843 |
| 2017 | #68 | 5,367 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Nicholas most popular?
Nicholas was most popular in 1999, when it ranked #5 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Nicholas becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently stable; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Nicholas?
At least 926,036 babies have been recorded with the name Nicholas in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
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