Nicolas
How to say it: NIK-uh-lus · /ˈnɪkələs/
French/Spanish variant of Nicholas, from Greek 'Nikolaos' meaning 'victory of the people'.
Nicolas was the 59th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 2,053 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 2000s, its births are down about 37% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #83 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #59 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 2,053 |
| Share of births | 1 in 567 |
| Peak decade | 2000s |
| Change over 10 years | −37% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #83 |
| In France, 2025 | #265 among boys’ names, 200 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Long familiar, Nicolas found its high in the 2000s. It still stands close to that level, even as a gentle slide is expected ahead.
What goes with it
With three lilting syllables, Nicolas sounds gentle and breathy yet strong. Lucas feels close in spirit, and Nico offers a lighter call.
Middle names that flow with Nicolas →
Parents who love Nicolas also love
Nicknames
- Nico
- Nick
- Nicky
- Nic
Honouring a Nicolas in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Nicolas is about 1 in 24.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish.
In France: #265 for boys in 2025.
England and Wales: #365. Ireland: #218.
Famous people named Nicolas
- Nicolas Sarkozy (born 1955)23rd president of the French Republic from 2007 to 2012
- Nicolas Cage (born 1964)American actor
- Nicolas Poussin (1594–1665)French painter
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Keep exploring
In the same lists
Find names you'll both love, starting with Nicolas
The one-minute style quiz.