Nicolaas
Every Nicolaas since 1960 — 404 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nicolaas
Nicolaas is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #11,609 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1960, 404 American babies have been named Nicolaas. Its peak came in 1996, when 22 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 Nicolaas stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nicolaas year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | #11,609 |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | 7 | #10,468 |
| 2016 | 9 | #8,618 |
| 2015 | 5 | #13,478 |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | 5 | #13,491 |
| 2012 | 9 | #8,672 |
| 2011 | 6 | #11,854 |
| 2010 | 8 | #9,421 |
| 2009 | 7 | #10,651 |
| 2008 | 11 | #7,564 |
| 2007 | 7 | #10,562 |
| 2006 | 9 | #8,539 |
| 2005 | 14 | #5,795 |
| 2004 | 7 | #9,654 |
| 2003 | 7 | #9,336 |
| 2002 | 17 | #4,647 |
| 2001 | 14 | #5,322 |
| 2000 | 9 | #7,237 |
| 1995 | 17 | #3,803 |
| 1990 | 7 | #6,945 |
| 1985 | 7 | #5,577 |
| 1980 | 12 | #3,554 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | 5 | #4,432 |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Nicolaas
- Nicolaas Bloembergen Physicist · 1920–2017
- Nicolaas Laurens Burman Biologist · 1734–1793
- Nicolaas Beets Writer · 1814–1903
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nicolaas in 2025?
Nicolaas ranked #11,609 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nicolaas?
404 babies have been named Nicolaas in the United States since 1960, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nicolaas most popular?
Nicolaas peaked in 1996, when 22 newborns received the name.
Is Nicolaas a boy or girl name?
Nicolaas is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nicolaas rising or falling?
Nicolaas is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Nicolaas?
Well-known people named Nicolaas include Nicolaas Bloembergen (physicist), Nicolaas Laurens Burman (biologist), Nicolaas Beets (writer).