Nicholai: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	5	1	–	#4,464
1970s	17	2	+240%	#4,301
1980s	95	10	+459%	#3,182
1990s	120	12	+26%	#3,601
2000s	300	30	+150%	#2,612
2010s	392	39	+31%	#2,458
2020s (to 2025)	95	16	-60%	#4,110

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

1920s

–

1930s

–

1940s

–

1950s

–

1960s

–

#4,464

1970s

+240%

#4,301

1980s

+459%

#3,182

1990s

120

+26%

#3,601

2000s

300

+150%

#2,612

2010s

392

+31%

#2,458

2020s (to 2025)

-60%

#4,110

The story of Nicholai

Nicholai is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,075 in 2025 with 12 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1962, 1,024 American babies have been named Nicholai. Its peak came in 2010, when 51 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2010s.

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 Nicholai stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Nicholai?

The median living Nicholai is about 16 years old; half are between 10 and 24. An estimated 1,000 people named Nicholai are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Nicholai year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	12	#7,075
2024	17	#5,594
2023	12	#7,174
2022	13	#6,728
2021	16	#5,708
2020	25	#4,110
2019	29	#3,775
2018	30	#3,677
2017	51	#2,521
2016	33	#3,413
2015	38	#3,067
2014	29	#3,666
2013	47	#2,587
2012	39	#2,991
2011	45	#2,693
2010	51	#2,458
2009	38	#3,089
2008	47	#2,665
2007	36	#3,171
2006	46	#2,612
2005	34	#3,068
2004	28	#3,428
2003	24	#3,698
2002	19	#4,285
2001	16	#4,833
2000	12	#5,810
1995	12	#5,027
1990	12	#4,589
1985	8	#5,022
1980	6	#6,018
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Nicholai, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Nicholai?

The median living Nicholai is about 16 years old. Half of all living Nicholais are between 10 and 24 years old.

How many people named Nicholai are alive today?

An estimated 1,000 people named Nicholai are alive in the United States, based on 1,024 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Nicholai in 2025?

Nicholai ranked #7,075 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 12 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Nicholai?

1,024 babies have been named Nicholai in the United States since 1962, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Nicholai most popular?

Nicholai peaked in 2010, when 51 newborns received the name.

Is Nicholai a boy or girl name?

Nicholai is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Nicholai rising or falling?

Nicholai is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Nicholai

Nicholai popularity over time

The story of Nicholai

How old are people named Nicholai?

Nicholai year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Nicholai