What Does the Name Nicholas Mean?
Nicholas is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning “victory of the people.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Nicholas |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Greek |
| Meaning | victory of the people |
| Variants | Nick, Nicolas, Nikolai, Nico, Niklas |
| Popularity | A classic name that ranked in the US Top 20 in the 1990s and 2000s; still in steady use today. |
The meaning and origin of Nicholas
The name Nicholas means “victory of the people” and has Greek origins. Nicholas comes from the Greek Nikolaos, combining 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people), meaning 'victory of the people.' It owes its enduring popularity to Saint Nicholas of Myra, the 4th-century bishop who inspired the figure of Santa Claus.
Variants and related names
Nicholas is related to several other names you may recognize: Nick, Nicolas, Nikolai, Nico, Niklas. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Nicholas?
A classic name that ranked in the US Top 20 in the 1990s and 2000s; still in steady use today.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nicholas mean?+
The name Nicholas means “victory of the people” and is of Greek origin.
What is the origin of the name Nicholas?+
Nicholas originates from Greek.
Is Nicholas a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Nicholas has trended in the US over time.
Nicholas by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press