Nikolai
How to say it: nik-uh-LY · /ˌnɪkəˈlaɪ/
Russian and Scandinavian form of Nicholas, from Greek 'Nikolaos' meaning 'victory of the people'.
Nikolai was the 550th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 469 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are down about 26% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #601 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 | #550 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 469 |
| Share of births | 1 in 6,375 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | −26% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #601 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,664 among boys’ names, 10 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
New to wide use in recent decades, Nikolai is enjoying its strongest showing in the 2020s. Right at its peak now, a small retreat is anticipated.
What goes with it
Strong and resonant with a rolling finish, Nikolai feels bold and carries the weight of a saint's name. Ivan would sit comfortably as a brother.
Nicknames
- Niko
- Nik
- Kolya
Other spellings
Honouring a Nikolai in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Nikolai is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Norwegian, Russian, Swedish.
In France: #1,664 for boys in 2025.
Famous people named Nikolai
- Nikolai Kinski (born 1976)French-American actor
- Nikolai Novosjolov (born 1980)Estonian fencer
- Nikolai Fraiture (born 1978)French-American musician (born 13 November 1978)
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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