Nichol
A Scottish and Irish surname transferred from the given name derived from the given name Nicholas.
Every Nichol since 1944 — 2,922 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nichol
Nichol is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1944, 2,922 American babies have been named Nichol. Its peak came in 1979, when 195 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Nichol stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nichol year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | 6 | #15,997 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | 5 | #19,401 | — | — |
| 2008 | 9 | #12,330 | — | — |
| 2007 | 5 | #19,709 | — | — |
| 2006 | 8 | #13,283 | — | — |
| 2005 | 7 | #14,098 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | 7 | #13,440 | — | — |
| 2002 | 7 | #13,241 | — | — |
| 2001 | 8 | #11,761 | — | — |
| 2000 | 13 | #7,914 | — | — |
| 1995 | 12 | #7,382 | — | — |
| 1990 | 55 | #2,307 | — | — |
| 1985 | 121 | #1,176 | — | — |
| 1980 | 166 | #910 | — | — |
| 1975 | 122 | #1,004 | — | — |
| 1970 | 115 | #1,065 | — | — |
| 1965 | 9 | #4,733 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nichol mean?
A Scottish and Irish surname transferred from the given name derived from the given name Nicholas.
How popular is the name Nichol in 2025?
Nichol did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Nichol?
2,922 babies have been named Nichol in the United States since 1944, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nichol most popular?
Nichol peaked in 1979, when 195 newborns received the name.
Is Nichol a boy or girl name?
Nichol is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nichol rising or falling?
Nichol is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.