Nikolaos
Borrowed from Greek Νικόλαος (Nikólaos), from Ancient Greek Νικόλαος (Nikólaos), from νικάω (nikáō, “I conquer”) + λαός (laós, “people”).
Every Nikolaos since 1962 — 2,072 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nikolaos
Nikolaos is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,591 in 2025 with 51 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1962, 2,072 American babies have been named Nikolaos. Its peak came in 2014, when 58 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 Nikolaos stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nikolaos year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 51 | #2,591 |
| 2024 | 47 | #2,783 |
| 2023 | 50 | #2,646 |
| 2022 | 48 | #2,745 |
| 2021 | 56 | #2,426 |
| 2020 | 48 | #2,647 |
| 2019 | 46 | #2,754 |
| 2018 | 38 | #3,089 |
| 2017 | 40 | #2,988 |
| 2016 | 48 | #2,609 |
| 2015 | 42 | #2,846 |
| 2014 | 58 | #2,289 |
| 2013 | 47 | #2,588 |
| 2012 | 34 | #3,283 |
| 2011 | 48 | #2,577 |
| 2010 | 47 | #2,619 |
| 2009 | 45 | #2,738 |
| 2008 | 49 | #2,570 |
| 2007 | 52 | #2,467 |
| 2006 | 32 | #3,359 |
| 2005 | 44 | #2,552 |
| 2004 | 49 | #2,333 |
| 2003 | 39 | #2,607 |
| 2002 | 27 | #3,316 |
| 2001 | 36 | #2,668 |
| 2000 | 31 | #2,903 |
| 1995 | 35 | #2,285 |
| 1990 | 23 | #2,843 |
| 1985 | 37 | #1,690 |
| 1980 | 27 | #2,037 |
| 1975 | 31 | #1,652 |
| 1970 | 16 | #2,377 |
| 1965 | 6 | #3,813 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Nikolaos
- Nikolaos Gyzis Painter · 1842–1901
- Nikolaos Plastiras Politician · 1883–1953
- Nikolaos Andriakopoulos Politician · 1878–2000
- Nikolaos Trikoupis Military personnel · 1868–1956
- Nikolaos Michaloliakos Politician · b. 1957
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nikolaos mean?
Borrowed from Greek Νικόλαος (Nikólaos), from Ancient Greek Νικόλαος (Nikólaos), from νικάω (nikáō, “I conquer”) + λαός (laós, “people”).
How popular is the name Nikolaos in 2025?
Nikolaos ranked #2,591 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 51 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nikolaos?
2,072 babies have been named Nikolaos in the United States since 1962, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nikolaos most popular?
Nikolaos peaked in 2014, when 58 newborns received the name.
Is Nikolaos a boy or girl name?
Nikolaos is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nikolaos rising or falling?
Nikolaos has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Nikolaos?
Well-known people named Nikolaos include Nikolaos Gyzis (painter), Nikolaos Plastiras (politician), Nikolaos Andriakopoulos (politician).