Nicholas
From Middle English Nicholas, from Old French Nicholas, from Latin Nīcolāus, from Ancient Greek Νικόλαος (Nikólaos), from νίκη (níkē, “victory”) + λαός (laós, “people”).
Every Nicholas since 1880 — 929,199 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nicholas
Nicholas is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #112 in 2025 with 3,115 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 929,199 American babies have been named Nicholas. Its peak came in 1995, when 29,216 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
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 Nicholas stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nicholas 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 | 8 | #11,640 | 3,115 | #112 |
| 2024 | — | — | 3,038 | #117 |
| 2023 | — | — | 3,261 | #109 |
| 2022 | 6 | #14,816 | 3,643 | #97 |
| 2021 | — | — | 3,866 | #92 |
| 2020 | 5 | #16,841 | 4,065 | #87 |
| 2019 | 8 | #12,127 | 4,642 | #78 |
| 2018 | — | — | 4,847 | #74 |
| 2017 | 6 | #15,416 | 5,372 | #68 |
| 2016 | 6 | #15,703 | 5,765 | #63 |
| 2015 | 7 | #14,088 | 6,263 | #62 |
| 2014 | 12 | #9,394 | 6,779 | #57 |
| 2013 | 13 | #8,926 | 7,147 | #54 |
| 2012 | 8 | #13,117 | 7,742 | #49 |
| 2011 | 15 | #8,095 | 8,601 | #42 |
| 2010 | 11 | #10,275 | 9,653 | #37 |
| 2009 | 18 | #7,270 | 10,856 | #32 |
| 2008 | 21 | #6,506 | 12,533 | #29 |
| 2007 | 14 | #8,876 | 14,362 | #20 |
| 2006 | 16 | #7,758 | 15,675 | #17 |
| 2005 | 24 | #5,392 | 17,076 | #15 |
| 2004 | 72 | #2,387 | 18,519 | #13 |
| 2003 | 44 | #3,331 | 19,696 | #12 |
| 2002 | 39 | #3,511 | 21,390 | #9 |
| 2001 | 35 | #3,763 | 22,849 | #6 |
| 2000 | 39 | #3,443 | 24,653 | #6 |
| 1995 | 56 | #2,362 | 29,160 | #7 |
| 1990 | 69 | #1,984 | 27,913 | #14 |
| 1985 | 162 | #960 | 22,384 | #19 |
| 1980 | 139 | #1,033 | 21,018 | #17 |
| 1975 | 24 | #3,024 | 3,319 | #81 |
| 1970 | 7 | #6,833 | 2,704 | #123 |
| 1965 | 7 | #5,650 | 2,068 | #150 |
| 1960 | — | — | 2,298 | #153 |
| 1955 | 8 | #4,632 | 2,186 | #141 |
| 1950 | — | — | 2,176 | #124 |
| 1945 | 6 | #4,397 | 1,357 | #151 |
| 1940 | — | — | 1,102 | #154 |
| 1935 | — | — | 911 | #158 |
| 1930 | 14 | #2,390 | 1,131 | #147 |
| 1925 | 7 | #4,320 | 1,332 | #133 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4,816 | 1,354 | #124 |
| 1915 | — | — | 1,427 | #104 |
| 1910 | — | — | 235 | #137 |
| 1905 | — | — | 112 | #173 |
| 1900 | — | — | 95 | #200 |
| 1895 | — | — | 84 | #187 |
| 1890 | — | — | 78 | #175 |
| 1885 | — | — | 66 | #196 |
| 1880 | — | — | 73 | #178 |
Famous people named Nicholas
- Nicholas II of Russia Politician · 1868–1918
- Nicholas I of Russia Politician · 1796–1855
- Nicholas of Cusa Philosopher · 1401–1464
- Nicholas Roerich Painter · 1874–1947
- Nicholas Winton Social activist · 1909–2015
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nicholas mean?
From Middle English Nicholas, from Old French Nicholas, from Latin Nīcolāus, from Ancient Greek Νικόλαος (Nikólaos), from νίκη (níkē, “victory”) + λαός (laós, “people”).
How popular is the name Nicholas in 2025?
Nicholas ranked #112 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 3,115 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nicholas?
929,199 babies have been named Nicholas in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nicholas most popular?
Nicholas peaked in 1995, when 29,216 newborns received the name.
Is Nicholas a boy or girl name?
Nicholas is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nicholas rising or falling?
Nicholas is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Nicholas?
Well-known people named Nicholas include Nicholas II of Russia (politician), Nicholas I of Russia (politician), Nicholas of Cusa (philosopher).