Nicolas

Victory of the people — a boy name of Greek origin

GenderBoy
OriginGreek
MeaningVictory of the people
PronunciationNIK-oh-lus

Popularity of Nicolas in the United States

#177Rank in 2025
2,053Births in 2025
#132 in 1998Peak Popularity
→ Stable10-Year Trend

Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Meaning & Origin of Nicolas

Nicolas is a variant spelling of Nicholas, derived from the Greek "Nikolaos," combining "nike" (victory) and "laos" (people). This spelling, without the "h," is the standard French and Spanish form of the name and has also become common in the United States as an alternative to the traditional English spelling. It carries the same rich history tied to Saint Nicholas of Myra, the 4th-century bishop behind the Santa Claus legend. Actor Nicolas Cage helped popularize this particular spelling in American culture from the 1980s onward.

Nicolas Around the World

Nicolas is used in 2 languages worldwide, with 33+ international variants.

Languages
FrenchDutch
Details

TypeMale given name

International Variants
NicholasFrench
Nikolaos
MykolaUkrainian
NiccolòItalian
Niclas
NielsDutch
NikosGreek
MikulášCzech
NikolayRussian
NikolaBulgarian
MiklósHungarian
NikolausGerman
NikolasGerman
Mikolamultiple languages
MikalaiBelarusian
NickelGerman
NilsFinnish
NicolásSpanish
MikławšUpper Sorbian
NicolòItalian
MikołajPolish
Nikulás
Miklavž
NicolauPortuguese
Nikolaz
NicolaasDutch
NicolaeRomanian
Nicolaes
NikolajSlovene
Nicolay
NikolajsLatvian
NikolaiGerman
Nicolino

Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.

Nicknames for Nicolas

NickNicoNickyCole

Famous People Named Nicolas

  • Nicolas Cage — American actor and Academy Award winner
  • Nicolas Sarkozy — French politician and former President of France
  • Nicolás Jarry — Chilean professional tennis player

Sibling Name Ideas for Nicolas

Looking for names that pair well with Nicolas? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Nicolas mean?

Nicolas is a boy name of Greek origin meaning "Victory of the people." Nicolas is a variant spelling of Nicholas, derived from the Greek "Nikolaos," combining "nike" (victory) and "laos" (people). This spelling, without the "h," is the standard French and Spanish form of the name and has also become common in the United States as an alternative to the traditional English spelling.

How do you pronounce Nicolas?

Nicolas is pronounced NIK-oh-lus. Common variations include Nicholas, Nikolas, Nikolai.

Is Nicolas a boy name?

Yes, Nicolas is traditionally a boy name. Popular nicknames include Nick, Nico, Nicky, Cole.

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