Nikolay
Every Nikolay since 1992 — 507 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nikolay
Nikolay is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,342 in 2025 with 14 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1992, 507 American babies have been named Nikolay. Its peak came in 2010, when 32 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 Nikolay stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nikolay year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | #6,342 |
| 2024 | 20 | #5,000 |
| 2023 | 7 | #10,490 |
| 2022 | 17 | #5,572 |
| 2021 | 16 | #5,709 |
| 2020 | 17 | #5,400 |
| 2019 | 17 | #5,497 |
| 2018 | 13 | #6,595 |
| 2017 | 19 | #5,058 |
| 2016 | 15 | #5,976 |
| 2015 | 27 | #3,958 |
| 2014 | 29 | #3,667 |
| 2013 | 27 | #3,826 |
| 2012 | 19 | #4,987 |
| 2011 | 21 | #4,617 |
| 2010 | 32 | #3,422 |
| 2009 | 31 | #3,528 |
| 2008 | 15 | #5,981 |
| 2007 | 17 | #5,361 |
| 2006 | 22 | #4,329 |
| 2005 | 14 | #5,796 |
| 2004 | 22 | #4,095 |
| 2003 | 11 | #6,591 |
| 2002 | 11 | #6,395 |
| 2001 | 9 | #7,345 |
| 2000 | 11 | #6,199 |
| 1995 | 5 | #9,871 |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Nikolay
- Nikolay Chernyshevsky Writer · 1828–1889
- Nikolay Basov Physicist · 1922–2001
- Nikolay Przhevalsky Explorer · 1839–1888
- Nikolay Karamzin Writer · 1766–1826
- Nikolay Pirogov Biologist · 1810–1881
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nikolay in 2025?
Nikolay ranked #6,342 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 14 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nikolay?
507 babies have been named Nikolay in the United States since 1992, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nikolay most popular?
Nikolay peaked in 2010, when 32 newborns received the name.
Is Nikolay a boy or girl name?
Nikolay is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nikolay rising or falling?
Nikolay is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Nikolay?
Well-known people named Nikolay include Nikolay Chernyshevsky (writer), Nikolay Basov (physicist), Nikolay Przhevalsky (explorer).