Nichols: 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	27	3	–	#3,150
1920s	26	3	-4%	#4,136
1930s	5	1	-81%	#3,826
1940s	17	2	+240%	#3,274
1950s	27	3	+59%	#3,124
1960s	17	2	-37%	#3,512
1970s	98	10	+476%	#1,741
1980s	322	32	+229%	#1,359
1990s	163	16	-49%	#2,842
2000s	56	6	-66%	#5,068
2010s	–	–	–	–
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#3,150

1920s

-4%

#4,136

1930s

-81%

#3,826

1940s

+240%

#3,274

1950s

+59%

#3,124

1960s

-37%

#3,512

1970s

+476%

#1,741

1980s

322

+229%

#1,359

1990s

163

-49%

#2,842

2000s

-66%

#5,068

2010s

–

2020s (to 2025)

–

The story of Nichols

Nichols 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 1914, 758 American babies have been named Nichols. Its peak came in 1987, when 55 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1980s.

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

How old are people named Nichols?

The median living Nichols is about 39 years old; half are between 33 and 44. An estimated 700 people named Nichols 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.

Nichols year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	–	–
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	–	–
2009	5	#13,899
2008	–	–
2007	7	#10,558
2006	5	#13,433
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	5	#12,194
2002	7	#9,108
2001	15	#5,068
2000	12	#5,811
1995	20	#3,402
1990	23	#2,842
1985	36	#1,716
1980	24	#2,196
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	7	#3,411
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	5	#3,800
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	5	#4,707
1920	6	#4,136
1915	5	#4,221
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Nichols?

The median living Nichols is about 39 years old. Half of all living Nicholss are between 33 and 44 years old.

How many people named Nichols are alive today?

An estimated 700 people named Nichols are alive in the United States, based on 758 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Nichols mean?

From Nichol, medieval vernacular form of the given name Nicholas + the patronymic suffix -s.

How popular is the name Nichols in 2025?

Nichols 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 Nichols?

758 babies have been named Nichols in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Nichols most popular?

Nichols peaked in 1987, when 55 newborns received the name.

Is Nichols a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Nichols rising or falling?

Nichols has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Nichols

Nichols popularity over time

The story of Nichols

How old are people named Nichols?

Nichols year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Nichols