What Does the Name Nikolai Mean?
Nikolai is a boy's name of Russian (from Greek) origin meaning “victory of the people.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Nikolai |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Russian (from Greek) |
| Meaning | victory of the people |
| Variants | Nicolai, Nikolaj, Nikolaus, Nikolas |
| Popularity | A steadily used Slavic classic in the U.S., generally in the top 500-700 for boys. |
The meaning and origin of Nikolai
The name Nikolai means “victory of the people” and has Russian (from Greek) origins. Nikolai is the Russian and Scandinavian form of Nicholas, from Greek 'Nikolaos' ('victory of the people'). It has been borne by Russian tsars and saints.
Variants and related names
Nikolai is related to several other names you may recognize: Nicolai, Nikolaj, Nikolaus, Nikolas. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Nikolai?
A steadily used Slavic classic in the U.S., generally in the top 500-700 for boys.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nikolai mean?+
The name Nikolai means “victory of the people” and is of Russian (from Greek) origin.
What is the origin of the name Nikolai?+
Nikolai originates from Russian (from Greek).
Is Nikolai a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Nikolai has trended in the US over time.
Nikolai by gender
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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